HIV-1 infection-associated risk factors among sexually transmitted diseasepatients in Athens, Greece - 1990 to 1996

Objective: To determine trends in HIV seroprevalence and related risk facto rs among patients with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs) and to report t he respective epidemiologic history characteristics. Methods: A cross-sectional seroepidemiologic study conducted from 1990 to 1 996 among 5,669 symptomatic STD cases was carried out. Results: The overall HIV test acceptance was 98.9%, and 1.2% patients (n = 66) were seropositive, Highest rates were detected among those who were bor n or resided in Sub-Saharan Africa. Seropositivity fluctuates significantly by age, and is excessive in persons 45 years and older (2.6%). A significa nt decreasing trend in STD incidence and HIV seroprevalence among patients younger than 25 years was detected. Male homosexuals and bisexuals (MSM) ex hibited the highest overall rate of infection (5.8%) followed by intravenou s drug users (2%), Highly promiscuous STD patients (ie, those who had more than 10 partners during the past 6 months) presented a significantly increa sed HIV seroprevalence when compared with patients of the same sexual orien tation. STD patients infected with HIV mostly belonged to notable risk cate gories of AIDS (men who have sex with men, 72.7%), Awareness of serostatus was law (13.6%). In male patients, the HIV seropositivity rate was signific antly higher among early syphilis and proctitis cases, whereas in females t his higher rate occurred with herpes genitalis. Conclusions: Promiscuity and sexual orientation significantly influence the seroprevalence rate. Exposure to HIV remained stable despite the above dec lining time trends, which implies the need for additional preventive interv entions targeted to the real health and illness behavior of the partner.