       Document 0285
 DOCN  M9630285
 TI    The epidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus and other sexually
       transmitted diseases in the Stockholm area.
 DT    9603
 AU    Christenson B; Stillstrom J; Department of Environmental Health,
       Karolinska Hospital,; Stockholm, Sweden.
 SO    Sex Transm Dis. 1995 Sep-Oct;22(5):281-8. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96100865
 AB    BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: In Sweden, human immunodeficiency virus has
       been almost exclusively spread in three subpopulations. These are
       homosexual men (47%), intravenous drug abusers (21%), and immigrants
       from highly endemic areas (22%). In contrast to human immunodeficiency
       virus, gonorrhea and syphilis have in the past affected the general
       population in Sweden. Today, gonorrhea and syphilis, like human
       immunodeficiency virus, are referred to the subpopulations. The only
       sexually transmitted disease that affects the general population is
       chlamydia. GOAL OF THIS STUDY: This is a descriptive analysis of the
       epidemiology of human immunodeficiency virus and the other STDs in the
       Stockholm area, and an inquiry regarding whether these diseases have
       been spread in the general population. The goal also was to evaluate the
       actual risk of exposure to human immunodeficiency virus and the other
       sexually transmitted diseases in the general population and in the
       subpopulations. STUDY DESIGN: The homosexual subpopulation in the
       Stockholm area has been estimated at 14,000, or 2.5% of the males. More
       than 95% of the human immunodeficiency virus-infected homosexual males
       have been found in the 15 to 64-year-old age group. There are 3,000 to
       4,000 drug abusers in the Stockholm area, with about 3,000 known to
       social workers. The third subpopulation with a high prevalence of human
       immunodeficiency virus-infected individuals is immigrants from
       sub-Saharan Africa. It is estimated that in the Stockholm area about
       9,000 of the individuals in this sub-population are in the sexually
       active age-group, 15-64 years old. RESULTS: Through January 1995, 3,958
       cases of human immunodeficiency virus have been reported in Sweden, of
       which 65% (2,543) were reported in the Stockholm area. Human
       immunodeficiency virus in the Stockholm area in 1994 was calculated as
       occurring among 6% of the homosexual men, 13% of the intravenous drug
       abusers, and 4% of the immigrants from sub-Saharan Africa. The relative
       increases (observed number of new cases in a particular year/number of
       known cases) were 10%, 4%, and 43%, respectively. CONCLUSION: The
       Swedish strategy against sexually transmitted diseases, including human
       immunodeficiency virus, has been successful regarding the spread in the
       general population. The human immunodeficiency virus epidemic has
       remained confined to distinct risk groups. Gonorrhea and syphilis are
       being eradicated and the chlamydia trend is declining.
 DE    Adolescence  Adult  Africa  Emigration and Immigration  Female
       Homosexuality, Male  Human  HIV Infections/*EPIDEMIOLOGY/TRANSMISSION
       Incidence  Male  Middle Age  Prevalence  Sex Behavior  Sexually
       Transmitted Diseases/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Substance Abuse,
       Intravenous/EPIDEMIOLOGY  Sweden/EPIDEMIOLOGY  JOURNAL ARTICLE

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

