Characterization of HIV/AIDS infection in Guantanamo municipality

Introduction: in Guantanamo province the acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) caused by infection with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) is a social problem, however, there is currently no updated descriptive research on the subject. Objective: a full description of patients infective with HIV/AIDS in Guantanamo municipality from 2015 through 2019. Method: an observational, descriptive and cross-sectional study was conducted in Guantanamo municipality. The total of patients infected with HIV/AIDS (N=347) were involved in the study. Variables used were: age, sex, sexual orientation, route of infection, screening and incidence group acting in each health area. Database used was the one implemented by the HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis department at the Centro Provincial de Higiene, Epidemiología y Microbiología in Guantanamo province. Results: 29.97% of involved patients had average age between 25 and 34, 272 (78.37%) were male. 46.68% were heterosexual. Sexual transmission was the most common route of infection (99.71%). The most frequent source of screening was the catchment area (44.38%) and the highest incidence of infection was recorded in the Caribbean health area (0.54 x 1.000 inhabitants). Conclusions: HIV infection is a health problem in Guantánamo municipality due to the increase in the number of cases diagnosed in the last five years.