Prevention and control of HIV/AIDS in China: lessons from the past three decades

Abstract

In the past 37 years, human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) has undergone various major transmission routes in China, with the world most complex co-circulating HIV-1 subtypes, even the prevalence is still low. In response to the first epidemic outbreak of HIV in injecting drug users and the second one by illegal commercial blood collection, China issued the Anti-Drug Law and launched the Blood Donation Act and nationwide nucleic acid testing, which has avoided 98,232 to 211,200 estimated infections and almost ended the blood product-related infection. China has been providing free antiretroviral therapy (ART) since 2003, which covered >80% of the identified patients and achieved a viral suppression rate of 91%. To bend the curve of increasing the disease burden of HIV and finally end the epidemic, China should consider constraining HIV spread through sexual transmission, narrowing the gaps in identifying HIV cases, and the long-term effectiveness and safety of ART in the future.

Structural Equation Model Analysis of HIV/AIDS Knowledge, Attitude, and Sex Education Among Freshmen in Jiangsu, China

“…The epidemic of HIV/AIDS in China mainly experienced three stages: sporadic cases (1985–1988), endemic outbreaks (1989–1994), and expansion phase (1995 to present). China has made remarkable achievements in HIV preventions and controls during the past three decades ( 1 ). The previous studies had indicated that higher risk existed among the young- and middle-aged populations, especially for the population who are aged between 30 and 40 years ( 2 ), MSM is the highest-risk group for HIV infection in the country ( 3 ), and people of lower socioeconomic status, unemployed populations, business workers, and rural labors are usually considered as the groups which had the highest opportunity be affected by HIV/AIDS frequently ( 4 ).…”

Prospects for the Implementation of HIV Molecular Transmission Network–Informed AIDS Prevention and Control in China

“…Some Chinese research groups are actively involved in HIV molecular transmission network research 29–49 . In addition, research is conducted concurrently in collaboration with the world's top scientific research teams, introducing advanced concepts and analytical methods 50 .…”

“…Therefore, more effective methods and strategies for combating HIV transmission through sexual contact must be developed. 30 Some Chinese research groups are actively involved in HIV molecular transmission network research. In addition, research is conducted concurrently in collaboration with the world's top scientific research teams, introducing advanced concepts and analytical methods.…”

For the health of the people—commemorating the 135th anniversary of the founding of the Chinese Medical Journal

“…[48] With regard to the prevention and control of chronic infectious diseases, Hong Shang introduced the experience gained by China in the prevention and control of acquired immune deficiency syndrome over the past 30 years. [49] Yihua Zhou described the progress of eradicating chronic hepatitis B in children by preventing mother-child transmission of this disease. [50] Since the beginning of the 21 st century, emerging infectious diseases have become a major risk, endangering public health.…”

“…Additionally, Longde Wang introduced the initial establishment of a stroke management model in China [48] . With regard to the prevention and control of chronic infectious diseases, Hong Shang introduced the experience gained by China in the prevention and control of acquired immune deficiency syndrome over the past 30 years [49] . Yihua Zhou described the progress of eradicating chronic hepatitis B in children by preventing mother-child transmission of this disease [50] …”