HIV This Week

Lejars M, Pitigoi D, Teleman M, Nicolaiciuc D, Reintjes R. Implementing a second-generation HIV surveillance system in Romania: Experiences and challenges. Wien Klin Wochenschr 2007;119(7-8):242-247.

Romania is a low prevalence country for HIV. Nevertheless, a special epidemiological situation is evolving because of the high percentage of children who were infected by nosocomial transmission between 1986 and 1991 and the consequent increasing number of sexually transmitted cases in adults, in addition to new cases among injecting drug users. In this particular context and with regard to Romania’s accession to EU membership, second-generation surveillance (SGS) systems were to be implemented. Following a SWOT analysis of the existing surveillance system, a National conference, monthly working groups and a workshop for training were organized with concerned people from central level and from six pilot districts. Specialists in epidemiology, infectious diseases, dermato-venerology and health promotion were involved in the process of developing the survey methodologies, which were based on standard protocols. Methods of testing and legal and ethical issues were discussed, especially for illegal or stigmatized behaviours. Based on the specific HIV epidemiology of each district and also for practical reasons, the surveys developed and implemented were: serological and behavioural surveillance at dermato-venerology clinics in two of the selected districts, serological surveillance among patients aged 15-24 admitted to general hospitals in four districts, and behavioural surveillance among high school pupils aged 15-19 in five districts. While implementing SGS, financial and human resource constraints encountered in the development and implementation of the surveys at each location need to be taken into account. One of the most important lessons learnt during this project was the importance of teamwork and co-operation between the epidemiologists and clinicians involved in HIV surveillance. The lessons learned in Romania could be valuable for many regions in Europe.

Editors’ note: Low HIV prevalence countries face a “know your epidemic” challenge which calls for tailoring second generation surveillance strategies. Romania’s approach included a national conference, working groups, and training workshops. Involving members of populations at higher risk of HIV exposure in programme design, implementation and monitoring will be key to ensuring not only that human rights are respected but also that appropriate strategies for reaching out to marginalised populations are designed and implemented.