HIV/AIDS and STI Prevention in Sweden

In July 2010 the Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control became responsible for the national preventive work in Sweden.

The Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control is responsible for the day-to-day operational work of planning, coordinating, evaluating and monitoring the preventive efforts against HIV and other Sexually Transmitted Infections.

Main and Interim Objectives

Prevention efforts are mainly governed by the National Strategy and by its main objectives: to limit the spread of HIV and other STIs, and to limit the consequences of the infections for society and the individual. The strategy further identifies three interim objectives:

by 2016, halve the number of newly registered cases of HIV transmitted in Sweden;
identify, within two months, HIV infections among newly arrived migrants, and within six months among others who have visited regions with a high incidence;
improve knowledge of HIV and AIDS, and of how to live with HIV, in the public sector, in working life and in society as a whole.

The objectives form the basis of society’s effort to combat both HIV and other STIs. Also, some of the preventive work is governed by the Communicable Disease and Prevention Act (2004:168).

The Preventive Work in Sweden

Besides following international developments and taking part in European collaboration projects on HIV-related issues, the Swedish Institute for Infectious Disease Control is responsible for:

developing action plans and operative objectives, including strategies for communication;
developing a comprehensive country level planning and monitoring document with indicators;
initiating and evaluating initiatives, and deepening the knowledge about preventing HIV;
delivering strategic background information in preparation for the national budget;
allocating funds for different preventive activities at a national, regional and local level;
monitoring and analysing the situation for groups most at risk.

The Swedish government approves annually funding for preventive intervention work.

An Advisory Council

A national advisory council, The National HIV Council, including important stakeholders has been established in Sweden. Its function is to coordinate all involved sectors.