Mapping of new HIV infections in Morocco and impact of select interventions.
Kouyoumjian, Silva P;
El Rhilani, Houssine;
Latifi, Amina;
El Kettani, Amina;
Chemaitelly, Hiam;
Alami, Kamal;
Bennani, Aziza;
Abu-Raddad, Laith J;
(2018)
Mapping of new HIV infections in Morocco and impact of select interventions.
INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF INFECTIOUS DISEASES, 68.
pp. 4-12.
ISSN 1201-9712
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ijid.2017.12.013
Permanent Identifier
Use this Digital Object Identifier when citing or linking to this resource.
OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study was to assess HIV modes of exposure in Morocco at the national level and also for Souss-Massa-Drâa, the region most affected by HIV. Another aim was to assess the impact of different scenarios of select intervention packages. METHODS: The Modes of Transmission Model was adapted and used, and was parameterized using quality bio-behavioral surveillance data among key populations, routine data sources, and literature reviews. RESULTS: Nationally in 2013, the largest number of new infections occurred among clients of female sex workers (FSWs) (25%; 95% confidence interval (CI) 14-37%), followed by men who have sex with men (MSM) (22%; 95% CI 12-35%), HIV serodiscordant couples (22%; 95% CI 12-34%), FSWs (11%; 95% CI 6-18%), and people who inject drugs (5%; 95% CI 2-9%). A similar pattern of results was observed in Souss-Massa-Drâa, but the HIV incidence rate was four-fold that at the national level. Different scenarios of feasible intervention packages reduced HIV incidence by 8-44%. CONCLUSIONS: Commercial heterosexual sex networks continue as the leading driver of the epidemic, with half of HIV incidence. A quarter of new infections occurred among MSM, a third of which in Souss-Massa-Drâa. Feasible expanded coverage of interventions could lead to large reductions in incidence.