Incidence of socially significant infectious diseases (HIV, TB and HIV/TB coinfection) in the Arctic regions of Russia)

The study is aimed to evaluate the HIV, TB, and HIV/TB coinfection incidence per 100,000 population/year in Russian Arctic, based on official statistical data. The epidemics’ incidence in Russian Arctic is uneven. The highest HIV incidence in 2019 was registered in Krasnoyarsk region (94,6), and the highest TB incidence in ChAD (136,1). ChAD was also identified as the region with the worst indicators, where the HIV incidence in 2007–2019 was evaluated at (315,8%), TB (136,1%), HIV/TB coinfection (150,0%). Despite the significant reduction in TB incidence in Arkhangelsk oblast (−63,9%), Karelia (−57,3%) and Komi (−56,2%) republics, it is alarming to observe dramatic increases in HIV incidence in the aforementioned regions (592,3%, 331,8%, 156,5% respectively). External factors influence HIV and TB incidence in most regions. Prevailing in men, HIV and TB incidence disparities between the general population and permanent residents occurred in all regions, except in ChAD and NAD, where the infections were diagnosed only among permanent residents. It is necessary to provide more detailed studies focusing on HIV, TB, and HIV/TB coinfection features in each circumpolar district in order to determine the main risk factors, especially among indigenous peoples as a vulnerable group, and to evaluate the HIV/TB collaborative services’ capacity.