10th International AIDS Conference Yokohama, Japan — Aug 7-12, 1994

Int Conf AIDS 1994 Aug 7-12; 10:390 (abstract no. PD0741)
Schoep M, Gebhardt M, Kopp C, von Overbeck J; Medical Policlinic, University Hospital Berne, Switzerland.

OBJECTIVE: to study trends in the characteristics of the population tested at the anonymous HIV counseling and testing center between 1985-1993.

METHODS: we reviewed 7341 questionnaires administered during HIV-pretest-counseling. The counseling was followed by an HIV-screening-test. Positive results were confirmed by western blot.

RESULTS: The table summarizes our results. TABULAR DATA, SEE ABSTRACT VOLUME. The Swiss Stop-AIDS campaign was begun in 1987 and from this year onward a striking increase in heterosexuals was observed. Over the years the absolute number of homo-/bi men dropped and IDUs nearly disappeared. In 1985 2/3 of the pos. tests concerned men with homosexual contacts, 1/3 male IDUs and no heterosexual cases. During these years 7.9% of tested homo-/bi men were pos., and only 0.6% of the hetero. Only 10% of the hetero persons with pos. tests had contacts to known HIV-pos. partners. Among the 5994 hetero non-IDUs tested, 911 reported sexual contact with high-risk partners (HIV-pos, IDU, bisexual, prostitute, high-prevalence-country), 7 (0.8%) had a pos. test. Among the 5083 others with no risk or multiple partners we found 14 (0.3%) pos. results (sign. diff. p = 0.03).

CONCLUSIONS: Over time the median age of the testing population dropped, the number of homosexuals decreased and the heterosexuals increased dramatically. The number of positive test results per year diminished. The only predictor of pos. serostatus in this population is sexual preference.

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