HIV infections and AIDS in Poland in 2023.

After the increase in the number of new HIV infections observed since the second year of the COVID-19 pandemic (since 2021), and following the influx of migrants from Eastern Europe, in 2023 there was a decrease in the total number of HIV infections reported for epidemiological surveillance, both in the general population and among migrants. The aim of the study was to assess the epidemiological situation of newly diagnosed HIV infections, AIDS cases and death among AIDS cases in Poland in 2023 in comparison to the changes in preceding years. Analysis of the epidemiological situation was based on reports of newly detected HIV cases and AIDS cases received from doctors/laboratories and the results of the annual survey of HIV testing. A dataset on clients from anonymous Voluntary Testing and Counselling (VCT) network was also used, which anonymously collects epidemiological and behaviour data on people who come for testing. In 2023 there were 2 404 HIV cases newly diagnosed in Poland (diagnosis rate 6.37/100,000), including 612 among non-Polish citizens. The number of HIV infections decreased by 8.1% compared to last year and increased by 68.5% compared to the median (2017-2021). The total number of AIDS cases was 177 (incidence 0.47/100,000). The HIV infection was most often detected in the age group 30-39 (35.3%) and among men (74.3%). Among cases with known transmission route, 53.7% concerned MSM and 33.2% heterosexual contacts. In 2023, the number of newly diagnosed HIV infections decreased compared to the previous year. This is likely due to a decrease in the number of reported infections among migrants. However, due to the lack of information on nationality in a large proportion of registered cases, it is impossible to fully assess whether the reduction in new diagnoses also applies to the Polish population.