Some characteristics of the HIV epidemic in Morocco

The first case of AIDS in Morocco was declared in 1986 and since then the number of AIDS cases has steadily increased. According to the Ministry of Health, the cumulative number of AIDS cases in December 2002 was 1085. HIV in Morocco is acquired mainly through heterosexual intercourse. Individuals aged between 30 and 39 years and in the regions of Marrakech and Agadir have been the most affected. Monitoring of the trend of the epidemic by sentinel surveillance surveys indicates that Morocco is still a low prevalence zone, since prevalence among pregnant women is less than 1%. The estimated number of HIV-infected people in Morocco is around 15 000. It is not clear why the epidemic here has not evolved as it has in the sub-Saharan countries where it is spreading at an alarming rate. Late introduction of HIV-1 subtype B in Morocco, which is relatively less transmissible, circumcision and reduced risk behaviours of Muslims may explain this. Nonetheless, because prevalence has increased in recent years, unless preventive measures are strengthened, the HIV epidemic will worsen in Morocco.