       Document 0326
 DOCN  M9640326
 TI    [The use of serological tests for detecting HIV infection in general
       clinical consultations and hospital consultations]
 DT    9604
 AU    Maria VA; Pimpao MV; Carvalho ML; Sousa AE; Lucas MM; Victorino RM;
       Centro de Saude do Cacem, ARS de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo.
 SO    Acta Med Port. 1995 Oct;8(10):543-52. Unique Identifier : AIDSLINE
       MED/96120094
 AB    AIMS: To determine the number and type of HIV tests requested in general
       practice (GP) and in hospital outpatient clinics, to identify principle
       risk behaviors, to determine the percentage of HIV positive tests and to
       identify possible factors associated with the request of HIV tests.
       METHODS: Cross-sectional, analytical and observational study, involving
       80 GPs and 45 hospital specialists in the region of Lisbon. All requests
       for HIV tests were analysed during a 12 month period. RESULTS: 936 HIV
       tests were requested, with a mean of 12.47 in GP and 0.69 in the
       hospital. Risk behaviors observed were mainly heterosexual contacts and
       intravenous drug abuse (IVDA). The motives of the requests mainly were
       pregnancy, risk behaviors in GP and the presence of symptoms suggesting
       HIV infection in the hospital. The initiative of the request came from
       doctors in 70% of the cases. The percentage of HIV positive tests (ELISA
       + Western blot) was 4.2% in GP and 32% in the hospital. According to
       risk behaviors, the percentage of seropositivity was 33% in
       homo/bisexuals, 13% in IVDA, 7% in heterosexuals with risk behaviors and
       0.2% in individuals with unidentified risk behaviors. CONCLUSIONS: The
       patterns of request of HIV tests differ in hospital and in GP. In a
       significant percentage of cases, no informed consent was obtained prior
       to HIV testing, both in hospital and GP. This study may serve as an
       indicator of the need for information and education programs concerning
       HIV testing directed to health professionals and the general population.
 DE    Adult  Comparative Study  Cross-Sectional Studies  English Abstract
       *Family Practice/STATISTICS & NUMER DATA  Female  Human  HIV
       Antibodies/*BLOOD  HIV Infections/*DIAGNOSIS  HIV
       Seropositivity/DIAGNOSIS  HIV Seroprevalence  HIV-1/*IMMUNOLOGY
       Immunologic Tests/STATISTICS & NUMER DATA/UTILIZATION  Male  Middle Age
       *Outpatient Clinics, Hospital/STATISTICS & NUMER DATA
       Portugal/EPIDEMIOLOGY  *Referral and Consultation/STATISTICS & NUMER
       DATA  Risk Factors  Support, Non-U.S. Gov't  JOURNAL ARTICLE

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

