A retrospective study of HIV /AIDS situation: a ten-year implementation of “four frees and one care”policy in China

Objective To describe the characteristics of HIV/AIDS epidemic during the ten years implementation of"four frees and one care"policy in China. Methods Data were retrieved from National HIV / AIDS Comprehensive Response Information Management System. Subjects being tested and diagnosed were counted and their characteristics were described. The prevalence of HIV infection among selected sentinel surveillance groups was analyzed and presented. Results During 2004- 2013,the number of subjects tested for HIV increased 5. 6 folds from 19. 68 million in 2004 to 111 million in 2013. The number of newly diagnosed cases per year increased 1. 9 folds from 476 000 to 901 000. The transmission mode changed from primarily blood-born spreading to sexual contract. The prevalence of HIV infection increased among men who have sex with men,but the HIV infection rate remained below 1% for following groups: sex workers,male attendants of sexually transmitted diseases clinic,long distance truck drivers and pregnant women. HIV infection among drug users continually decreased from 7. 5% in 2005 to 3. 6% in 2013,a 52% reduction cumulatively. Conclusions Ten years implementing of the"four frees and one care"AIDS policy has curbed the HIV / AIDS epidemic in China. Shift in main mode of HIV transmission urges new policy and strategies to confront the emerging AIDS challenges China faces.