AIDS - A MAJOR HEALTH PROBLEM AMONG YOUNG, ITALIAN WOMEN

Objectives: To estimate the extent of the HIV/AIDS epidemic among Ital ian women and to assess its impact on mortality. Further, to assess th e incidence of AIDS and the main characteristics of women affected by AIDS, with particular attention to those aged 25-34 years, and to iden tify differences in these characteristics compared with men infected w ith AIDS. Methods: Incidence data were derived from the Italian Nation al Register of AIDS Cases (RAIDS). The most recent complete data refer to cases diagnosed to the end of 1994. Mortality data were collected from the Italian mortality database, which is held by the Italian Nati onal Census Bureau (ISTAT) and processed by the Laboratory of Epidemio logy and Biostatistics at the National Institute of Health of Italy (I stituto Superiore di Sanita; ISS). The most recent mortality data refe r to 1992, but projections were made to obtain mortality data up to 19 94. All the rates were standardized by age and sex. Results: A total o f 26 957 cases of AIDS, 21 441 men (79.5%) and 5516 women (20.5%), dia gnosed before the end of 1994 were reported to RAIDS. The majority of cases and deaths occurred in individuals aged 25-34 years. The inciden ce of AIDS among women increased from 2.1 per 100 000 in 1987 to 17.2 per 100 000 in 1994. The sex ratio (men:women) fell from 5.2 in 1987 t o 2.9 in 1994. In 1992, AIDS was the second most common cause of death (slightly behind cancer and ahead of traffic accidents) in Italy but was the most common cause in three regions of northern Italy (Liguria, Lombardia and Emilia). Conclusions: Although the AIDS epidemic in the past has predominantly affected young men, AIDS is now rapidly becomi ng a major health problem for young women in Italy. Moreover, as these women are at reproductive age, this may have important consequences i n terms of increased morbidity and mortality among children.