Document 0340
 DOCN  M9590340
 TI    Demographic characteristics of Victorian women diagnosed with HIV.
 DT    9509
 AU    Robinson PM; Stevenson EM; Greet B; Public Health Branch, Department of
       Health & Community Services,; Melbourne.
 SO    Annu Conf Australas Soc HIV Med. 1994 Nov 3-6;6:158 (unnumbered
       abstract). Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE ASHM6/95291759
 AB    OBJECTIVES: To describe characteristics surrounding diagnosis for
       Victorian HIV-infected women, including reason for test, health at time
       of diagnosis and means of infection. METHODOLOGY: Current surveillance
       mechanisms for HIV in Victoria includes data collection from HIV test
       request forms together with routine callback to diagnosing doctors. This
       process allows for collection of data on clinical stage and antecedents
       to diagnosis. In order to collect contextual data on women with HIV a
       questionnaire addressing a range of demographic and social issues has
       been developed and is being distributed through Positive Women (Vic).
       RESULTS: By the middle of 1994 there had been 142 women diagnosed with
       HIV in Victoria, 33% of whom were diagnosed since 1990. The majority of
       these 142 women report exposure to the virus via an already infected
       sexual partner. Reasons for testing vary tremendously from routine
       antenatal and blood donor screening, through to realisation of possible
       past exposure and appearance of symptoms. CONCLUSION: Despite
       similarities in acquisition one major feature of Victorian women with
       HIV is the diversity in their circumstances and backgrounds. Use of a
       detailed questionnaire examining both these issues will provide a
       valuable contextual framework for interpretation of surveillance data
       while also providing information with which to develop health promotion
       strategies.
 DE    AIDS Serodiagnosis  Female  Human  HIV
       Infections/DIAGNOSIS/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/TRANSMISSION  *Population
       Surveillance  Risk Factors  Sexual Partners  Victoria/EPIDEMIOLOGY
       MEETING ABSTRACT

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