Since the beginning of the year, 51 people have been tested in the HIV counseling center of the Bar Health Center, and the number of those being tested for the virus is higher than in previous years.
The number of people tested this year is also increasing in the Institute for Public Health (IJZ), while on the other hand, the Health Center in Herceg Novi does not record an increase in those interested in checking their HIV status. As the institution said, since the beginning of the year, 28 people have been tested, which is significantly less compared to the period before the covid-19 pandemic.
In the Health Center in Kotor, where the third coastal counseling center operates, 21 people have been tested since the beginning of the year, i.e. two less than in the same period in 2022. That institution also does not record an increase in the number of people tested.
"In 2022, a total of 64 people were tested, and from January to July 1 last year, 23 people were tested. In 2021, a total of 64 people were also tested, and from January to July 1, 42 people," the answer reads.
At the level of Montenegro, from the beginning of the year to the end of June, HIV was registered in 20 persons, which is almost at the same level as in the same period in 2022, when the virus was confirmed in 18 tested persons.
IJZ replied to "Vijesta" that they do not have data on how many people have been tested since the beginning of the year, because that data is collected on an annual basis. In their counseling center, as they clarified, 29 rapid tests were performed until June 145, six of which had a positive result for anti-HIV antibodies.
"The number of people tested is higher compared to the number of people tested in the same period last year, which is partly the result of the introduction of testing for hepatitis B and hepatitis C with rapid tests in the second half of 2022, but also other activities carried out by the IJZ in order to increase the testing rate increased, thus enabling timely detection of infection and initiation of treatment. In all counseling centers, 2022 people were tested for HIV in 524," the answer reads.
Private laboratories report only positives
IJZ said that HIV testing is key to detecting infection and providing adequate support, so monitoring the testing rate, as well as reporting positive test results, is a significant part of HIV surveillance.
"Data on testing is collected and processed on an annual basis and includes data on testing in counseling centers for voluntary and confidential HIV counseling and testing, the microbiological laboratory of the Institute for Public Health of Montenegro, the Institute of Transfusion of Montenegro, and testing in the community, which is carried out in in cooperation with NGOs that provide services to populations that are difficult to reach and at increased risk of HIV", they answered.
The IJZ pointed out that, according to the current legal regulations in Montenegro, private laboratories are not obliged to provide that institution with data on the number of people who have been tested for HIV, but it is necessary to report every positive finding.
After the news spread on social networks about the alleged increased number of HIV infected people in Budva, IJZ appealed to citizens and the media to get information from reliable sources of information. The "Debunking" platform has announced that it is a fake news spread by social network users about the alleged huge increase in the number of people infected with the HIV virus and that, with the arrival of Ukrainians, 300 people became infected.
Testing is voluntary, free and confidential
Counseling centers for voluntary and confidential HIV testing exist in seven municipalities - apart from IJZ, within the health centers of Pljevlja, Berane, Kotor, Herceg Novi, Bar and Nikšić.
Herceg Novi Health Center responded to "News" that since the beginning of the year, 28 tests have been performed and that there is no significant increase compared to previous and pandemic years. But they claim that there is a significant drop in testing compared to the period before 2020. They pointed out that HIV testing is advised for all persons who engage in risky sexual behavior - relationships without protection, i.e. condoms, frequent changes of sexual partners, sexual relationships under the influence of alcohol and psychoactive drugs substances, as well as to people who are intravenous drug users.
The Health Center in Bar reminded that the Counseling Center within that institution has been operating since 2007 and that voluntary, free and confidential testing for HIV, and since last year for hepatitis B and C, is carried out.
They emphasized that when working with clients, they promote change in risky behavior and provide support to those who are infected, as well as distribute informative and educational material and promote the use of condoms as one of the most effective preventive measures in preventing the spread of HIV infection and other sexually transmitted diseases.
"Since the beginning of the year, 51 people have been tested in the Counseling Center of the Health Center, which is a slightly higher number compared to 2022 and the previous year," they replied from that institution.
About 400 people live with HIV
From the beginning of 2022 to December 1, when World AIDS Day is celebrated, 32 new cases of HIV were registered, more than in 2021 and 2020 combined. According to data from this institution, from the Registry, at the end of 2021, there were 266 people living with HIV, of which 237 were men and 29 were women. It is estimated that the actual number of people living with HIV in our country is around 400, so it is considered that about one fifth of those infected have not been diagnosed, that is, they are not aware of their HIV status.
The first case of HIV infection in Montenegro was registered in 1989, and from then until the end of 2021, a total of 331 people infected with HIV were registered, 47 percent of whom were in the AIDS stage at the time of detection of the infection, while in in the same period, 65 people died from that disease.
In Podgorica and on the coast, 82 percent of the total number of people infected with HIV were registered.
Fear delays HIV status testing
IJZ pointed out that, unfortunately, we are still faced with the fact that citizens do not want to be tested and check their HIV status, most often due to prejudice and fear of possible stigmatization and discrimination.
"Timely testing, diagnosis and access to appropriate health care are key factors in managing HIV and reducing the risk of further complications of infection and transmission of the virus, so it is very important that anyone who has been at risk of HIV infection is tested. A person who is on antiretroviral therapy and with a good therapeutic response has an immeasurable value of viral copies in the blood, can have a healthy and quality life, healthy offspring and live to a very old age. Also, it is considered that a person on antiretroviral therapy with an unmeasurable number of viral copies in the blood cannot transmit the virus to others", states the reply of the IJZ.
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