Twenty years of human immunodeficiency virus infection in Croatia - An epidemic that is still in an early stage

Croatia has a low-level HIV epidemic; 553 persons were diagnosed with HIV infection in the period 1985-2005. The principal mode of transmission was sex between men (40% of cases) and heterosexual contact (40%). Only about 10% of cases were injecting drug users. Testing data also suggest a low prevalence of HIV infection in Croatia, even in vulnerable groups. Behavioral data indicate risky sexual behaviors, with the clear need for interventions. National policy towards HIV/AIDS is operated through the National Committee on HIV/AIDS, a multisectorial advisory body to the Government of Croatia. Croatia applied to the Global Fund to fight AIDS, tuberculosis and malaria in 2002 which resulted in a 4,9 million USD grant for scaling up prevention interventions. Croatia has a centralized system of treatment and care which is provided at the University Hospital for Infectious Diseases in Zagreb. Highly active antiretrouiral treatment is provided free of charge from April 1998.