Document 0710
 DOCN  M95A0710
 TI    Human immunodeficiency virus seroprevalence in an occupational cohort in
       a South African community.
 DT    9510
 AU    Kravitz JD; Mandel R; Petersen EA; Nyaphisis M; Human D; Department of
       Internal Medicine, University of Arizona Health; Sciences Center,
       Tucson, USA.
 SO    Arch Intern Med. 1995 Aug 7-21;155(15):1601-4. Unique Identifier :
       AIDSLINE MED/95344291
 AB    BACKGROUND: In the early years of the worldwide pandemic, there were no
       reported cases of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome in Lesotho, a
       small, mountainous country in South Africa. Since 1986, when the first
       case of acquired immunodeficiency syndrome was identified, reported
       diagnoses have risen precipitously. The initiation of the Lesotho
       Highlands Water Project has resulted in the influx of a migrant
       workforce of predominantly single males into a relatively isolated,
       mountainous area where human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) was previously
       unknown. OBJECTIVE: To ascertain the HIV seroprevalence among a cohort
       of laborers at the Katse Dam construction site in Bokong, Lesotho.
       METHODS: During the 5-week study period in late 1992, construction
       workers (age range, 15 to 59 years) who were first-time clinic users for
       any chief complaint were randomly selected for serological study.
       Surveillance complied with the Lesotho National AIDS Control Programme
       guidelines, which required unlinked, anonymous testing. Serum samples
       were screened by an enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay; the results were
       confirmed by the Western blot technique. RESULTS: Unlinked, anonymous
       HIV testing of 486 persons revealed a seroprevalence of 5.3% (26/486;
       95% confidence interval, 3.3% to 7.3%). These data contrasted with a
       0.8% seroprevalence in a similar age group in nearby villages that
       surrounded the construction project. CONCLUSIONS: Lesotho, in the early
       phase of the HIV/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome epidemic in Africa
       in the 1980s, was seemingly protected by its relative isolation. Grave
       concern is now warranted as the country is destined to experience a
       rapid rise in HIV seroprevalence. Increased surveillance, health
       education opportunities, and aggressive prevention activities at the
       Katse Dam construction site are imperative to arrest the spread of HIV
       from construction workers to nearby villagers.
 DE    Adolescence  Adult  Age Distribution  Cohort Studies  Enzyme-Linked
       Immunosorbent Assay  Female  Human  *HIV Seroprevalence  Male  Middle
       Age  Occupations  Population Surveillance  Risk  Sex Distribution  South
       Africa/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Support, Non-U.S. Gov't  Transients and
       Migrants/*STATISTICS & NUMER DATA  JOURNAL ARTICLE

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