Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1990. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
HIV-1 INFECTION AND AIDS IN HAITI
The Epidemiology of AIDS: Expression, Occurrence, and Control of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Type 1 Infection. Kaslow RA and Francis DP, eds. New York, Oxford University Press, p. 221-30, 1989.. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ICDB/90668119 Pape JW; Johnson WD Jr; Div. of International Medicine, Cornell Univ. Medical Coll.,; A431, 1300 York Ave., New York, NY 10021
Abstract:
The first cases of AIDS in Haiti were recognized in 1978-1979, a period that coincides with the earliest reports of AIDS in the United States. Current data are consistent with the hypothesis that AIDS originated in Africa, was subsequently brought to the United States and Europe and was then introduced into Haiti either by tourists or by returning Haitians. HIV-1 infection and AIDS in Haiti is reviewed, including early history; AIDS and prevalence of HIV-1 infection; modes of transmission; and clinical features. The seroprevalence of HIV-1 among healthy, sexually active adults in Port-au-Prince is approx 10%. This rate is three times that observed in rural areas. The highest prevalence rates were observed in female prostitutes (53%) and in the male and female spouses of AIDS patients (pts; 55%). In the United States, over 95% of non-Haitian AIDS pts report either homosexuality, transfusion, or iv drug abuse; these risk factors are reported in less than 15% of Haitian-American and African pts. Since 1984, there has been a progressive decrease in the percent of pts reporting either bisexuality or previous blood transfusion, and an increase in those reporting either a spouse with antecedent AIDS, prostitution, or none of these activities. In 1986, heterosexual transmission probably accounted for 70% of AIDS cases. The types of opportunistic infections and clinical course in Haitians with AIDS were similar in many respects to those in pts with AIDS in the United States. However, important differences were noted in the prevalence of specific opportunistic pathogens in Haiti and in the occurrence of prurigo. The physical appearance of an AIDS pt in Haiti is sufficiently characteristic that the term 'malidi mor' (illness of death) has been applied. This designation connotes both the physical appearance and prognosis, unlike the African term 'slim disease.' (15 Refs)
Keywords: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/TRANSMISSION Cross-Sectional Studies Haiti/EPIDEMIOLOGY Human HIV Infections/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/TRANSMISSION HIV Seroprevalence HIV-1/*PATHOGENICITY Incidence Opportunistic Infections/EPIDEMIOLOGY Risk Factors Sarcoma, Kaposi's/EPIDEMIOLOGY Skin Neoplasms/EPIDEMIOLOGY MONOGRAPH REVIEW, TUTORIAL REVIEW 901230
M90C3728
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Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1990. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
