Overall hospitalizations have stabilized in the last few years
August 14, 2006 – In the last decade, across Canada there have been just over 21,800 HIV/AIDS-related hospitalizations. Annually, most hospitalized HIV/AIDS patients are male, but the proportion of females accounting for HIV/AIDS-related hospitalizations nearly doubled from 11.9% in 1994�1995 to 22.9% in 2003�2004, according to new data released today by the Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI). For the first time, CIHI is able to document a 10-year trend in HIV/AIDS-related hospitalizations in Canada.
Following the introduction of organized prevention strategies and highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in the mid-1990s, HIV/AIDS-related hospitalizations steadily decreased from 3,772 in 1994�1995 to 1,791 in 1998�1999. However, since 2001 there has been little change in the number of HIV/AIDS-related hospitalizations, hovering around 1,300 annually.
These data contribute to the national picture of HIV/AIDS in Canada. Regional changes in the number of HIV/AIDS-related hospitalizations over the 10-year period, along with data reflecting HIV/AIDS hospitalizations that include potentially unnecessary days spent in acute care beds (called alternate level of care stays), are presented on a data poster, currently available on CIHI�s website at www.cihi.ca. Kira Leeb, Manager, Health Services Research, will present the findings tomorrow, Tuesday, August 15, 2006, from 10:30 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. at the International AIDS Conference, Level 800, in the South Building of the Metro Toronto Convention Centre.
About CIHI
The Canadian Institute for Health Information (CIHI) collects and analyzes information on health and health care in Canada and makes it publicly available. Canada�s federal, provincial and territorial governments created CIHI as a not-for-profit, independent organization dedicated to forging a common approach to Canadian health information. CIHI�s goal: to provide timely, accurate and comparable information. CIHI�s data and reports inform health policies, support the effective delivery of health services and raise awareness among Canadians of the factors that contribute to good health. www.cihi.ca
