Since HIV reporting began in 1992 and through the end of 2006, 211 HIV cases have been reported in Albania. 72 of the cases were reported as having developed AIDS, including 35 people who died. For the year 2006, 32 HIV diagnoses, 15 AIDS diagnoses and 7 deaths among AIDS cases were registered, the highest reported figures in all three categories reported to date. Among the 32 new HIV cases, 21 were male. The predominant mode of transmission is sexual (about 90% of all reported cases) and the age group most affected is 30–39 years old. The majority of reported cases were acquired outside the country.
It is estimated that there are 10 000–30 000 drug users in Albania (of whom 3000–5000 are estimated to be injecting drug users, or IDUs); for most IDUs, the drug of choice is heroin. There is a scarcity of information regarding injecting drug use and attitudes towards needle sharing in the country. A survey conducted in three Albanian cities (Tirana, Shkodra and Vlora) provided some information on the health consequences of drug use. None of the more than 400 drug users tested in Tirana were HIV positive, whereas about 40% had hepatitis B and just 3% hepatitis C. The data also suggest that injecting drug use is on the rise, and that more than two thirds of injectors share needles and syringes.
In addition to injecting drug use, Albania faces other challenges with regard to HIV risk behaviours. It is estimated that thousands of Albanian women and girls have been working as sex workers outside the country (e.g. in western Europe or other Balkan countries) over the past 10 years. Most of them are young (20–24 years old) and have not received any sex education. During the last decade there has also been a dramatic increase in the mobility of the Albanian population. According to estimates by the National Statistical Institute of Albania, the number of migrants is approximately 600 000 people, or about 18% of the population, the largest group being men aged 20–30.
HAART became available in Albania in 2003. In 2004, 15 people were on HAART treatment and as of 31 January 2008, 74 people (including 12 children) received HAART at one treatment facility in the country.
Updated 15 June 2008
References:
European Centre for Epidemiological Monitoring of AIDS (EuroHIV). HIV/AIDS surveillance in Europe. End-year report 2006. Saint-Maurice: Institut de Veille Sanitaire, 2007. No. 75.
WHO Regional Office for Europe. Sexually transmitted infections/HIV/AIDS programme. WHO/Europe survey on HIV/AIDS and antiretroviral therapy 2005. WHO: Copenhagen; 2006
