Choi TM, Lam PY, Chan MF; International Conference on AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS. 1998; 12: 115 (abstract no. 13151).

Department of Health, Hong Kong.

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the epidemiology of HIV infection in Hong Kong using data from voluntary reporting, sero-prevalence, unlinked anonymous screening studies, supplemented by a modeling exercise. METHODS: The voluntary reporting system has been receiving clinical reports from physicians on newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS since late 1984. Seroprevalences were assessed basing on samples collected through voluntary testing and blood donation. Unlinked anonymous screening was introduced in 1990. HIV prevalence in the general population was modeled using Epi-Model basing on the estimated AIDS incidence. RESULTS: A total of 957 HIV infections diagnosed in Hong Kong were reported from October 1984 to the end of 1997; 309 of them had progressed to AIDS. The reported AIDS incidence ranged between 1-2 per 100,000 adult population per year. Eighty-percent of those infected were sexually acquired and a third were homosexuals. Injecting drug users constituted only 1.7% of the reported total. Perinatal transmission occurred only very occasionally. Transmission of HIV after reception of blood or blood products had largely disappeared after 1985. Seroprevalence studies had confirmed (1) a low HIV prevalence rate in the voluntary blood donors at 1-4 per 100,000 blood units collected; (2) HIV incidence rate in STD clinic attendees of less than 0.1%; and (3) rare occurrence of HIV in methadone clinic clients. Supplementary data from unlinked anonymous screening supported a low rate of HIV in neonates at less than 1 in 5000, and a prevalence at 0.2-0.5 per 1000 in drug users. Modeled HIV prevalence in the general population was 1000-1500 (AIDS excluded) in 1997. CONCLUSIONS: So far, Hong Kong's HIV infection has concentrated in those practising high risk sex behaviours, which should continue to be the priority target of community intervention. Potential of spread in drug users should be closely monitored.

Publication Types:

• Meeting Abstracts

Keywords:

• Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome
• Adult
• Blood Donors
• HIV Infections
• HIV Seropositivity
• Hong Kong
• Humans
• Incidence
• Infant, Newborn
• Prevalence
• Seroepidemiologic Studies
• methods

Other ID:

• 98388125

UI: 102227538

From Meeting Abstracts