OBJECTIVETo analyze the epidemiological characteristics of the HIV/AIDS patients newly received highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) during 2005-2013 in Jiangsu province.

METHODSAccording to the baseline data of HIV/AIDS patients newly received HAART during 2005-2013, an Excel database was established and statistical analysis was performed using SPSS 16.0 software.

RESULTSThere were 5 788 HIV/AIDS patients newly received HAART during 2005-2013 and the number increased annually. 79.7% of these patients were from the local province, with the ratio of male to female as 4.69 : 1, mean age as 39.9 years old, 55.8% of them married, 52.0% of them were treated at CDC. 91.9% of them were infected through sexual contacts. Mean baseline CD4(+)T cell count of cases was 187 cells/µl. Median of the interval between the time of HIV confirmation and HAART initiation was 4.0 months. Proportion of the HIV/AIDS patients that were being male, elderly, unmarried, not local resident, treated in hospitals and with higher baseline CD4(+)T count etc. showed a trend of increase.

CONCLUSIONHIV/AIDS patients had the opportunity to start the HAART at early stage of the disease. However, many of them started the treafment late as the results of being diagnosed late. Programs related to both earlier detection and diagnosis on HIV cases should be strengthened.