Retrospective Epidemiological Study of HIV Infection in Thi-Qar Province, Iraq (2022 to 2024)
Keywords:
HIV, Epidemiology, AIDS, Thi-Qar province, sexual transmissionAbstract
Background: Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) still constitutes a significant global health challenge.
Objective: The purpose of the present study was to describe the epidemiological characteristics and distribution of HIV infection cases in Thi-Qar Province, Iraq, during January 2022 to December 2024.
Methodology: This retrospective study was conducted analyzing AIDS patient data of 114 samples collected from January 2022 to July 2024 in Thi-Qar, Iraq. In the Department of Medical Laboratory Techniques, College of Health and Medical Techniques, National University of Science and Technology, Nasiriyah, Thi-Qar, Iraq. The data included sex, age group, district of infection, and date of infection. All suspected HIV/AIDS cases were clinically examined, screened for anti-HIV antibodies using ELISA, and confirmed by Western blot.
Results: A total of 114 new HIV cases were registered over the three years from 2022 to July 2024. The number of new cases showed a gradual increase over these years. The majority were males (76.7%), while 23.3% were females. The most common way of HIV infection was Sexual transmission.
Conclusion: In Thi-Qar, specifically in Al-Nassiriya, the annual number of HIV cases shows an increasing rate, while in Al-Nasr, lower rates were observed. This spotlights the importance and potential danger of HIV/AIDS to the community. So, effective national strategies must be applied to reduce the risk of outbreak, epidemic, or endemic spread. Adult males may contribute to the rising risk of infection. The primary route of transmission of HIV, mainly through heterosexual contact, is sexual transmission.
Bangladesh Journal of Infectious Diseases, June 2026;13(1): 228-234
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Copyright (c) 2026 Ali Msahir Atshan, Salah Mahdi Mutter
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