RESEARCH PAPER
Estimation of the number of people living with HIV in Arak, Iran: application of network scale-up method for hidden populations
1
Department of Epidemiology, School of Health, Arak University of Medical Sciences, Arak, Iran
Submission date: 2024-01-16
Final revision date: 2024-05-07
Acceptance date: 2024-05-08
Online publication date: 2025-10-08
Corresponding author
Rahmatollah Moradzadeh
Department of Epidemiology, School of Health, Arak University of Medical Sciences, School of Health, Golestan St. Daneshgah Blvd., Arak, Iran, phone/fax: +98-8633672028
Department of Epidemiology, School of Health, Arak University of Medical Sciences, School of Health, Golestan St. Daneshgah Blvd., Arak, Iran, phone/fax: +98-8633672028
KEYWORDS
TOPICS
ABSTRACT
Introduction:
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a significant public health challenge worldwide. In this study, we aimed to estimate the number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Arak, Iran, using network scale-up method (NSU).
Material and methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted among residential population in Arak located in the center of Iran. In total, 1,604 individuals participated. Sampling locations were selected by creating a list of crowded and busy centers in the city, which were considered as clusters. Two locations were then randomly selected within each cluster. The main variable was the number of PLHIV/AIDS known by each participant among their active social network in Arak during the past five years. To estimate the number of PLHIV, NSU method was used.
Results:
Among the participants, 51.1% (n = 819) were females, of which 29.2% (n = 468) were identified as housewives. The mean age of participants was 39.2 years (SD: 14.1). Using the NSU method, the population size estimation of PLHIV in Arak was determined as 1,075, equivalent to a prevalence rate of 178.2 per 100,000 population (95% CI: 145.4-214.3% per 100,000 population). The size estimation of PLHIV was determined as 248 (prevalence rate: 83.1; 95% CI: 73.1-94.0% per 100,000 population) and 827 (prevalence rate: 271.5; 95% CI: 253.5-290.4% per 100,000 population) for females and males, respectively.
Conclusions:
The estimated prevalence of HIV was higher than the number of detected cases in Arak. Key high-risk populations for HIV should receive more support for HIV testing and confidentiality implementation.
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a significant public health challenge worldwide. In this study, we aimed to estimate the number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in Arak, Iran, using network scale-up method (NSU).
Material and methods:
This cross-sectional study was conducted among residential population in Arak located in the center of Iran. In total, 1,604 individuals participated. Sampling locations were selected by creating a list of crowded and busy centers in the city, which were considered as clusters. Two locations were then randomly selected within each cluster. The main variable was the number of PLHIV/AIDS known by each participant among their active social network in Arak during the past five years. To estimate the number of PLHIV, NSU method was used.
Results:
Among the participants, 51.1% (n = 819) were females, of which 29.2% (n = 468) were identified as housewives. The mean age of participants was 39.2 years (SD: 14.1). Using the NSU method, the population size estimation of PLHIV in Arak was determined as 1,075, equivalent to a prevalence rate of 178.2 per 100,000 population (95% CI: 145.4-214.3% per 100,000 population). The size estimation of PLHIV was determined as 248 (prevalence rate: 83.1; 95% CI: 73.1-94.0% per 100,000 population) and 827 (prevalence rate: 271.5; 95% CI: 253.5-290.4% per 100,000 population) for females and males, respectively.
Conclusions:
The estimated prevalence of HIV was higher than the number of detected cases in Arak. Key high-risk populations for HIV should receive more support for HIV testing and confidentiality implementation.
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