|
 
Last update: |
 |
|
|
28-Jun-2024
|
 |
|
|
Arch Hellen Med, 41(4), July-August 2024, 545-554 SPECIAL ARTICLE Epidemiology of HIV infection in Greece during 2010–2021, prevention and barriers mitigation E.E. Houssos,1 I. Apostolakis,1,2 P. Sarafis1,3 |
For people who are in danger of getting infected by the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) and for those who have already been diagnosed with HIV, the antiretroviral pharmaceutical treatment constitutes a prevention measure, but also a necessary treatment for a long and healthy life. Pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) is a modern prevention measure against the HIV spread and has been implemented in many countries since 2016. Recently, in the autumn of 2022, PrEP was legislated as a prevention measure in Greece, too. After a temporary worsening of the HIV epidemiological status in Greece, with a major increase of HIV infections in 2011 and 2012, in the following years, until 2021, the epidemiological data showed a significant decreasing trend. Hopefully, further improvement of the HIV epidemiological status could lead to the achievement of the goals of UNAIDS 95-95-95 in the year 2030. Nevertheless, there still remain a lot of barriers, such as the lack of information, deterring those who are in danger of HIV infection or live with HIV from taking the available prevention measures, including PrEP. To overcome these barriers, actions have to be taken, such as campaigns to enhance the awareness of people who face the danger of HIV infection.
Key words: Barriers, Epidemiology, HIV infection, Pre-exposure prophylaxis, PrEP.
