Dataset

Belgian HIV Diagnosis Register

Since the outbreak of the HIV epidemic in Belgium, the profile of this epidemic has undergone many changes. It is widely accepted that interventions aimed at controlling the epidemic have to be based on data and focused on the national and local epidemiology. Therefore, an HIV diagnosis surveillance is an important instrument. New HIV diagnoses are reported by the AIDS Reference Laboratories (ARLs). Following the Royal Decree regarding the determination of the criteria for the recognition of HIV/aids reference laboratories (dd. 8/10/1996), AIDS Reference Laboratories (ARLs) are obliged to confirm and report all new HIV diagnoses. The convention between RIZIV-INAMI and the ARLs stipulates that these data have to be transferred to Sciensano. Sciensano acts as ‘National Contact Point for HIV surveillance’ for the European Center for Disease Prevention and Control (ECDC), and ‘National Focal Point for HIV/AIDS Monitoring & Evaluation’ for WHO Europe.

Overview

Alternative Titles / Acronym
  • HIV-DIAG
Keywords
AIDS Healthdata.be (Sciensano) HIV Sciensano
Languages
ENG
Health Themes
HIV/AIDS (Q12199) HIV (Q15787) epidemiology of HIV/AIDS (Q3077789)
Health Categories
Population-based health data registries (public health registries)
Population Coverage
Since 1985 notifications of new HIV diagnoses are collected. Registration is done via the 7 AIDS Reference Laboratories, which gives a complete picture of the total number of diagnosed HIV-positive persons in Belgium.
Purposes

  • The processing of HIV data is done to fulfil a public health task of general interest. The collection, compilation and analysis of HIV data should make it possible to expand knowledge of the Belgian HIV epidemic. On this basis, the competent authorities will have accurate and up-to-date information to guide the management of HIV, taking into account epidemiological trends and the most recent evolutions.

Provenance
  • The data on persons with a new HIV diagnosis in Belgium are based on registration of new HIV diagnoses by the AIDS Reference Laboratories (ARL). In Belgium there are seven ARL. One of their tasks is to perform confirmatory testing of all sera reactive in an HIV screening test. The ARL report the result of laboratory tests and basic demographic information directly. In addition, they collect more detailed information about the patient from the physician who requested the diagnostic confirmation test.
Landing Pages
Documentation

Temporal Information

Dataset Modified
Update Frequency
ANNUAL
Metadata Dates
Issued:
Modified:

Spatial Information

Geographic Coverage
  • BE
NUTS Codes
http://data.europa.eu/nuts/code/BE

Additional Information

Dataset Types
Personal Data
Applicable Legislation
Legal Basis

  • Royal decree of 8th October 1996 on establishing the criteria for the recognition of reference laboratories for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome

    Source

  • ISC mandate (update 2024)

    Source

  • Sciensano law (2018):

    Source

  • Sciensano, public institution with registered office at rue Juliette Wytsman 14, B-1050 Elsene, is responsible for the processing of the HIV surveillance data. The processing of the data is based on the grounds of public interest as provided for in art. 6.1 (e) of the General Data Protection Regulation, GDPR(link is external) and in particular for data concerning health, for reasons of public interest in the areas of public health as provided for in art. 9.2 (i) GDPR.

    Source
HDAB
Contact Points
Conforms To
Version
version 3.1 of the DCD
Structured Identifiers

Distributions & Resources

HDA request form

https://www.hda.belgium.be/en/data_request

Restricted ENG
Publication Info
License cc-zero1.0
Standards & Languages
Languages ENG
Conforms To
Distribution Profile
Direct Links
Access URL https://www.hda.belgium.be/en/data_request
AIDS
Healthdata.be (Sciensano)
HIV
Sciensano