[Strategy for prevention of HIV / AIDS transmission through blood and blood products in Mexico]

This study presents blood-associated AIDS epidemic trends in Mexico including cases due to blood transfusions cases in professional blood donors and hemophiliacs. The authors also present an overview of preventive measures--both legal and educational--undertaken to prevent this type of transmission and its effects on the epidemic. The first blood-associated AIDS cases in Mexico were reported in 1985; since then and up to July 1 1994 a total of 1728 adult cases and 116 pediatric cases have been reported (12.3% and 25% of the total cases respectively). As in many other parts in the world Mexican women were markedly affected by this form of transmission; the female/male morbidity ratio is 1.35. Another group particularly affected by AIDS in Mexico are professional blood donors who were infected because of improper management and recycling of blood transfusion center supply materials such as plasmapheresis sets in some blood transfusion centers in this country. Blood screening is mandatory for all blood donors in Mexico since May 1986. A year later blood commercialization was banned because of the extremely high HIV infection prevalences found in some professional blood donors (7.2%). Since that time a whole set of preventive measures has been implemented in this country including blood quality and safety controls as well as educational interventions. Results of these measures began to become evident by the end of 1991 when newly reported blood-associated AIDS cases started to decrease as opposed to their continuous growth seen in previous years. Up to July 1 1994 the authors estimate a total of 2750 AIDS cases have been prevented through these measures recovering an average of 36 years of potential life for each of them. Although blood transmission preventive measures have resulted in significant achievements the authors still have to face some very complex challenges such as potential ruralization of the epidemic and its impact on HIV infection prevalences among potential blood donors and therefore the need to ensure blood screening in rural areas. (authors modified) (summaries in ENG SPA)