Sexual Contact Now Dominates New HIV Cases in Samara Region
Officials in the Samara Regional Duma have discussed a concerning trend where unprotected sex now accounts for 76% of new HIV infections, a stark reversal from two decades ago when drug use was the primary cause.
Jan 21, 2026 0
Free testing in mobile units can help detect the disease even when it lies hidden, with earlier recognition leading to more effective therapy.
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A meeting of the healthcare committee of the Samara Regional Duma discussed the situation with the spread of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in the region. The data was presented by a representative of the regional Ministry of Health, Ilya Sirotko.
«In the Samara region, 38,234 patients with HIV infection are registered. 86% live in the regional capital [Samara] and Tolyatti. The HIV epidemic in the region intensified in the early 2000s, which was linked to the growth of drug addiction. The most difficult situation was in Tolyatti. Today, the region ranks sixth in Russia in terms of HIV prevalence and fourth in terms of new infection rates», reports volga.news, citing Ilya Sirotko.
Now the situation has fundamentally changed, and the key change, as noted by the chief physician of the regional AIDS center, Oksana Chernova, concerns the routes of virus transmission.
«If two decades ago 96% of infections occurred through injection drug use, now 76% of new infections are due to unprotected sexual contact. Drug users spread the virus into the general population. Now among those becoming infected are many socially adapted people with good education who have never used drugs», explained Chernova.
She added that most new cases are detected in citizens over 35 years old, while the more informed youth demonstrate lower incidence rates.
Experts also note the problem of hidden incidence, which, according to estimates, may be 30% higher than official statistics.
«To identify it, free testing is being conducted in the region, both in medical institutions and as part of preventive campaigns, which also involve non-profit organizations working with vulnerable groups», the specialists emphasized.
Regarding treatment, antiretroviral therapy (ART) plays an extremely important role, which not only prolongs patients« lives but, with successful viral suppression, makes them non-dangerous to others.
«Treatment coverage in the region over the past 10 years has increased from 59% to 99.8%, and mortality from HIV has decreased by 47%. All drugs are purchased with state budget funds», said Oksana Chernova.
Following the discussion, the deputies proposed to strengthen the promotion of HIV testing and consider the possibility of including it in the medical examination program, instructing the Ministry of Health to prepare the corresponding financial calculations.
In autumn, statistics from the Russian Ministry of Health became known. These figures are alarming—in the Samara region in 2024, the number of people with a first-time diagnosis of «HIV infection» was 73.7 per 100,000 population.
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