5th International AIDS Conference


Montreal, Quebec, Canada — Jun 4-9, 1989

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Evaluation of a multidisciplinary HIV diagnosis and management center, Sydney, Australia.

Int Conf AIDS 1989 Jun 4-9; 5:174 (abstract no. A.581)
Morlet A, Michelmore H, Turbitt P, Begley K, Gold J; Albion Street (AIDS) Centre, Sydney Hospital, Sydney, Australia

OBJECTIVE: To provide a multidisciplinary diagnosis, ambulatory care and early intervention service for persons infected with HIV.

METHOD: The Albion Street (AIDS) Centre, established in March 1985, is staffed by 45 full time professional and support staff including doctors, nurses, counsellors and research officers. The Centre provides free and confidential pre and post-test counselling, HIV antibody testing, medical management of HIV related signs and symptoms, referral and emotional support groups. A computer based medical record system was developed and implemented to enable management of ongoing epidemiological surveillance, evaluation of risk education programmes and early intervention drug trials.

RESULTS: To the end of December 1988 a total of 11340 clients had been tested at the Centre, 9049 male, 2259 female, 24 transsexual or unknown, 1179 intravenous drug users and 401 prostitutes. Of the total 1448 (12.8%) were diagnosed as HIV antibody positive, 1365 (94%) were homosexual or bisexual. 36 (5.6%) of the heterosexual intravenous drug users and 7 (1.5%) of blood transfusion recipients tested were infected. Over 70% of cases initially diagnosed by private physicians.

CONCLUSION: The comprehensive and specialised services provided by the Center have resulted in it becoming the major referral clinic for management of early HIV infection. The Centre provides an early diagnosis and management model that facilitates effective implementation and evaluation of intervention strategies aimed at slowing disease progression.

Keywords: AEGIS, Substance Abuse, Intravenous, Evaluation Studies, HIV Infections, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Prostitution, Sex Behavior, AIDS Serodiagnosis, Homosexuality, Bisexuality, Australia, Counseling, Disease Progression, CD4 Lymphocyte Count, Human, Female, Male, nursing, diagnosis, ICA5

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A581

Copyright © 1989 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.