Dynamics of HIV prevalence among pregnant women in Ukraine in 2016-2024: regional analysis
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.15574/HW.2025.5(180).2126Keywords:
HIV infection, pregnant women, prevalence, epidemiology, regional analysis, Ukraine, Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of UkraineAbstract
HIV infection remains an urgent medical and social problem and a significant challenge for the public health system. Monitoring the prevalence of HIV among pregnant women is of particular importance, as this indicator reflects the intensity of the epidemic process among women of reproductive age and the effectiveness of vertical transmission prevention programs. In Ukraine, the epidemiological situation is characterized by pronounced regional heterogeneity.
Aim - to analyze the dynamics and regional characteristics of the prevalence of HIV among pregnant women in Ukraine in 2016-2024.
Materials and methods. A retrospective descriptive epidemiological study was conducted based on the official statistical data of the Public Health Center of the Ministry of Health of Ukraine regarding the number of HIV-positive pregnant women registered in Ukraine and its regions in 2016-2024. The absolute indicators and their share in the national structure (%) were analyzed. A comparative analysis of the dynamics by years and regions was carried out with the determination of trends, structural changes and territorial differences. Methods of descriptive statistics were used.
Results. During the studied period, a steady trend towards a decrease in the number of HIV-positive pregnant women was established: from 2,814 cases in 2016 to 1,083 in 2024, which is a decrease of 61.5%. The most pronounced reduction was noted after 2021. During the entire period, the highest absolute indicators were registered in the Dnipropetrovsk and Odesa regions. In 2024, their share was 15.6% and 17.0% of the total number of cases in Ukraine, respectively. A significant decrease in indicators was observed in the Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia and Kherson regions after 2021. The western regions were characterized by relatively low and stable indicators. Despite the overall decrease in the number of cases, regional disparities persist.
Conclusions. In 2016-2024, a consistent decrease in the prevalence of HIV among pregnant women was noted in Ukraine. At the same time, significant regional unevenness remains, with the concentration of most cases in the southern and eastern regions. The sharp decrease in rates after 2021 needs to be interpreted with caution, taking into account possible changes in the availability of medical care and the completeness of case registration. Further epidemiological monitoring and strengthening of programs for the prevention of vertical transmission of HIV are necessary.
The authors declare no conflict of interest.
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