PATTERNS AND TRENDS OF SEXUAL-BEHAVIOR, HIV TESTING, AND HIV PREVALENCE AMONG ALL SEXUALLY-TRANSMITTED DISEASE CLINIC ATTENDERS IN DENMARK

Background and Objectives: Persons attending a sexually transmitted di sease (STD) clinic have shown to be at a higher risk for HIV infection than the population in general. We evaluate the patterns of HIV preva lence and testing in relation to reported risk behavior. Study Design: Data have been collected on all new attenders at the Danish STD clini cs. The study period was January 1, 1990 through March 1992. Results: Testing for HIV was accepted by 74% and more often by women than men a nd more outside Copenhagen than in the city itself. Acceptance was low est among homo/bisexual men seen in Copenhagen. The HIV prevalence was highest among homo/bisexual men with drug use (10.0%) and lowest amon g heterosexual men (0.3%) and women (0.2%). Among heterosexuals the te st activity increased over time, and the test activity increased and t he prevalence of HIV antibodies decreased with the number of reported sex partners. Among heterosexuals HIV infection was associated with no t being born in Denmark and age (greater than or equal to 30 years old in women and greater than or equal to 35 years old in men). Conclusio n: These results are relevant for the national HIV surveillance progra ms and campaigns, and stress the importance of offering HIV testing to all persons attending for an STD examination.