Document 0229
 DOCN  M9590229
 TI    The diagnosis of HIV in the Northern Territory (NT) in the 90's--the tip
       of the iceberg?
 DT    9509
 AU    Knibbs PG; Bowden F; Mein J; AIDS/STD Unit, Royal Darwin Hospital, Tiwi
       NT.
 SO    Annu Conf Australas Soc HIV Med. 1994 Nov 3-6;6:297 (unnumbered poster).
       Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ASHM6/95291870
 AB    STUDY OBJECTIVES--To determine the reasons for testing in HIV positive
       individuals first notified in the NT since 1990. METHODOLOGY--All HIV
       notifications for the NT for the period 1/1/90-25/7/94 were analysed.
       SUMMARY OF RESULTS--35 people have been diagnosed HIV+ in the study
       period. Of these only 11 (31.4%) requested the test themselves. Of the
       11 requesting the test, 10 reported homo/bisexual behaviour as a risk
       factor and the other person had married an HIV+ African woman. Of the 20
       clients tested at the instigation of someone other than the client, 11
       had symptoms indicative of HIV infection, 3 were diagnosed through
       mandatory testing in NT prisons, 2 were the index patients in biohazard
       injuries, 1 was tested at autopsy, 1 was tested antenatally, 1 was the
       contact of a positive person and 1 was detected as part of Sexually
       Transmitted Disease screening. In 4 cases the reason for testing was
       unobtainable. CONCLUSION--The majority of clients (57.1%) diagnosed with
       HIV in the study period did not request the test themselves. Of those
       requesting the test all had recognised risk factors and the majority
       reported homo/bisexual behaviour. This would indicate the success of
       education campaigns targeted specifically at this group. Additionally
       those requesting an HIV test were generally being tested earlier in the
       disease process as 9 (81.8%) had T-cell counts greater than 200. This
       compares with 8 (40%) out of 20 with T-cell counts of less than 200 in
       the other group. The results reinforce the need for health care
       practitioners to actively offer screening for HIV in the NT as the
       results indicate that a majority of people either do not perceive
       themselves to be at risk, or do not want to know their HIV status.
 DE    Adult  AIDS Serodiagnosis/*STATISTICS & NUMER DATA  Female  Human  HIV
       Seropositivity/DIAGNOSIS/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/TRANSMISSION  HIV
       Seroprevalence/*TRENDS  Infant, Newborn  Male  Northern
       Territory/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Pregnancy  Risk Factors  MEETING ABSTRACT

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