Human immunodeficiency virus seroprevalence trends: Five hospitals in south Georgia, 1993 through 1997

Background. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) seroprevalence surveys help determine the extent of HN and the need for routine HN counseling and testi ng. We sought to describe trends in five south Georgia hospitals and compar e two protocols for conducting anonymous HIV surveys. Methods. From 1993 to 1997, each hospital tested approximately 1,400 anonym ous, leftover blood specimens per year. Two hospitals (C and E) tested all specimens, and three hospitals (A, B, and D) excluded blood known to be HIV -related. Results. The mean HIV seroprevalence at hospitals C and E was between 2.0% and 2.3% each year. The mean HIV seroprevalence at hospitals A, B, and D in creased from 0.5% to 1.0% during 1993 to 1995, then decreased to 0.3% in 19 97. Conclusions. In hospitals C and E, the level of HIV disease was constant. I n hospitals A, B, and D, the HIV seroprevalence decreased to 0.3%, suggesti ng that routine HIV counseling and testing is not currently needed in these hospitals. Hospitals should consider conducting periodic anonymous HIV ser oprevalence surveys, sampling from all patients and distinguishing between specimens known to be HIV-related and those that are not.