Penza, 5 February 2013. PenzaNews. The Ministry of Health and Social Development of the Penza region published official data on incidence of HIV in the region.

According to information provided on the website, as of 1 January 2013, 1,286 HIV-infected people live in the Penza region. Thus, the incidence of disease is 93,4 per 100 thousand people.

“Last year, we identified 242 new cases of HIV infection (17,6 per 100 thousand people), in 2011 — 165 cases (11,9 per 100 thousand people). The number of new HIV cases has increased by 1,4 times,” the message reads.

Experts of the Ministry concluded that 66% of HIV-infected people live in Penza, Zarechny, Kuznetsk and Kuznetsky area, with the disease reported in all the cities and 23 areas of the region throughout the year.

According to the Ministry, the index of infection introduced by intravenous use of drugs increased to 42% in the Penza region and Penza, surpassing sexual transmission index.

“The number of newly diagnosed HIV-infected women has almost doubled. The number of children born to these mothers increased from 37 to 47,” the Ministry report announced.

According to official data, 41% of HIV-positive people are unemployed, 52% are single, and 39% lead promiscuous way of life.