Overcoming difficulties, change your strategy

In the calendars of many countries, December 1 is marked as HIV Prevention Day. The history of this day dates back to 1988, when, at the initiative of the World Health Organization (WHO), this day was chosen to draw the attention of the world community to the problem of the spread of a new disease, which was first widely discussed in the early 1980s. Over the 40-year history of the epidemic's development, much has changed: from ignorance and fear of an unknown disease, the world has moved to the possibility of treatment that reduces the amount of virus in the blood to a level undetectable by tests and untransmittable to other people.

Today, HIV infection has transitioned from a deadly disease to a chronic one. In Belarus, over 25.5 thousand people live with HIV-positive status (as of November 2025), of whom more than 22 thousand receive antiretroviral therapy (ART), thereby maintaining their health, life expectancy, and quality of life. The largest number of new cases is registered among men and women aged 30 to 59 years; the sexual route of HIV transmission predominates, accounting for over 80% of all registered cases.

From 1990 to 01.11.2025, 2130 cases of HIV infection have been registered in the Vitebsk region; 1533 people living with HIV. In the 10 months of 2025, 78 new cases of HIV infection were detected. All age groups of the population are involved in the epidemic process; however, the main proportion of citizens newly diagnosed with HIV infection in 2025 are people in the 30-59 age group (79.4%). Throughout the observation period, the main route of infection has been sexual – 84.0%. In the 10 months of 2025, sexual transmission occurred in 89.7% of cases.

It is important to remember that HIV infection is not transmitted through household contact.

The motto of HIV Prevention Day this year, "Overcoming challenges, change strategy," calls for maintaining the achievements of previous years in combating the spread of this disease.

The international symbol – a red ribbon loop – symbolizes solidarity with people directly affected by this problem. World AIDS Day continues to remind us that the disease can affect anyone. Reliable information on HIV infection issues, raising awareness of modern medicine achievements and related changes in prevention, and eradicating stigma and discrimination in all its manifestations remain relevant.

Within the framework of World AIDS Day, informational and educational events are held in institutions and organizations. They will take place in traditional formats, such as campaigns, talk shows, and presentations, as well as in modern formats using the internet, flash mobs, contests, and exhibitions of works demonstrating personal attitudes towards the problem and proposals for improving the effectiveness of preventive measures, and preventing stigma and discrimination against people living with HIV.

Given the epidemiological situation, significant attention will be paid to preventive measures among the working population.

Join us on this World AIDS Day. The events held will once again draw attention to HIV infection, convey information to the public, and motivate safe and responsible behavior and health preservation.

 

 

Department of HIV Infection and Parenteral Viral Hepatitis Prevention of the State Institution "Vitebsk Regional Center for Hygiene, Epidemiology and Public Health"