Document 0948
 DOCN  M94A0948
 TI    HIV infection and violent death (homicides/suicides) Contra Costa
       County, California 1990-1993.
 DT    9412
 AU    Reardon J; Wise F; Hart J; Keilch R; Warren N; Brunner W; Ruiz J
 SO    Int Conf AIDS. 1994 Aug 7-12;10(2):244 (abstract no. PC0336). Unique
       Identifier : AIDSLINE ICA10/94371627
 AB    OBJECTIVES: To evaluate the prevalence of HIV-1 infection among persons
       who died a violent death classified as homicide or suicide, and the
       characteristics of those infected. METHODS: Routine testing for HIV-1
       antibodies of cadavers autopsied under the coroner's jurisdiction was
       conducted between August, 1990 and December, 1993. Blood samples taken
       at the time of autopsy were tested by EIA and confirmed by IFA. RESULTS:
       During these 41 months 1,979 cadavers were tested for HIV-1 representing
       84.5% of all cadavers autopsied. Among the tested 303 had deaths
       classified as homicides and 245 classified as suicides. This averaged
       7.4 homicides and 6 suicides per month in a population of 850,000 and
       with an estimated general HIV-1 prevalence of 0.5%. HIV-1 antibodies
       were found in seven of the homicides (2.31%) and in four of the suicides
       (1.6%). Six homicide victims with HIV-1 were African American and one
       was Latino. All four suicide victims were White. All homicide victims
       were under the influence of drugs at the time of death and five were
       under the additional influence of alcohol. Two suicide cases were also
       under the influence of drugs. At least three of the persons committing
       suicide were aware of their HIV-1 status and this knowledge was related
       to their decision. The median age was 34 for suicides and 40 for
       homicides. All HIV-1 infected were men. CONCLUSIONS: Persons dying
       violent deaths are more likely than the general population to be
       infected with HIV-1. HIV-1 infected persons require substance abuse
       treatment and strong psychological and emotional support to avoid a
       violent death.
 DE    Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/*EPIDEMIOLOGY  Adult
       California/EPIDEMIOLOGY  *Homicide  Human  HIV Antibodies/ANALYSIS  HIV
       Seroprevalence  *HIV-1  Male  *Suicide  MEETING ABSTRACT

       SOURCE: National Library of Medicine.  NOTICE: This material may be
       protected by Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.Code).