HIV Infection Rates Among Iranian Women Have Increased Rapidly

The head of the AIDS department at Iran's Ministry of Health stated that the rate of HIV infection among women has increased compared to the past, with one-third of the 28,000 reported cases of HIV in 2013 being women. According to the Ministry of Health's website, Abbas Sadaqat said on Sunday, December 2, '28,000 cases of HIV were registered in 2013, of which approximately 38.9% were infected through unsafe sexual relations.' He added that the increase in HIV infections among Iranian women is significant, especially since infected women who become pregnant can transmit the virus to their newborns, imposing a heavy burden on the health economy. The Ministry of Health reported that there were 27,888 HIV cases in 2013, with 88.7% being men and 11.3% women. Officials noted that by the end of 2012, the total number of HIV cases in the country was 26,125, with 10.2% being women. Various estimates have been published regarding the number of HIV cases in Iran. Minou Mohraz, head of the AIDS Research Center, stated on September 28 that it is estimated that 100,000 people in Iran are living with HIV. Masoud Mardani, a member of the National AIDS Committee, mentioned on September 5 that the World Health Organization predicts 80,000 to 90,000 people in Iran are infected, with about 70,000 of them either unaware of their infection or hiding it. Sadaqat also announced the operation of 30 counseling centers specifically for 'vulnerable women' offering free services, established in areas targeting 'at-risk women.' He referred to programs aimed at preventing mother-to-child transmission of HIV, stating that if an HIV-infected mother receives timely preventive treatment and continues post-delivery, her newborn can be protected from HIV infection by up to 90%. According to the Ministry of Health, mother-to-child transmission accounted for 3% of HIV cases in 2013. The state news agency IRNA reported on Tuesday that preventive measures have led to children born to three HIV-positive pregnant mothers in Qazvin being born without the virus. Majid Rezazadeh, head of the Prevention Development Center of Iran's Welfare Organization, stated that according to last year's statistics, 3,600 HIV-positive individuals are covered by 'Positive Clubs.' Rezazadeh noted that these clubs were established to support, empower, and reduce risky behaviors among HIV-positive individuals. He highlighted employment and empowerment of HIV-positive individuals as the clubs' top priority, stating that 907 members received health insurance coverage and 276 received employment assistance in 2013.