HIV/AIDS in Turkey

HIV/AIDS cases have been officially reported since 1985. This was the year when the first case was reported in Turkey as well. The total number of reported HIV/AIDS cases in the period 1985-2003 is 1,712. In 2003 the reported cumulative prevalence amounted 1 712 people, approximately two thirds of which HIV positive and one third with AIDS.

Generally, Turkey has had a low HIV/AIDS incidence, relatively constant over the last 3 years, with about 190 reported new cases a year. The estimated prevalence is 3 700 cases out of a population with over 70 million people. The number of HIV tests performed in 2003 reached a number of 2 385 000. Statistics from 2003 show that about ¾ of all cases were male, ½ heterosexual, 9% homosexual, and 10% intravenous drug users. Cases were identified in all of the Turkish provinces but mainly in urban centers and especially in Istanbul province where half of all cases were identified.