Do homosexual men evade HIV-testing?
OBJECTIVE: To analyze the change in the sexual preference category of the newly-identified HIV-seropositive individuals in Finland. METHODS: As of Sept. 1985, HIV-testing has been available free-of-charge throughout the country. Anonymous testing is possible in 5 AIDS Support Centers. As of Sept. 1985, HIV infection has been a notifiable disease in Finland requiring mandatory reporting on every HIV case to the National Board of Health. Asymptomatic disease is reported by social security code (SSC) as are gonorrhea, genital Chlamydia infections and hepatitis-B. Symptomatic disease (LAS, ARC, AIDS) is reported by name and SSC. Data is collected on the age, profession and place of residence of the patient as well as on the most likely transmission route of the virus. RESULTS: As of 1.1.89, there are 241 cases of HIV infection, 41 of whom have AIDS. The distribution of the sexual preference among the annually found HIV cases is the following: TABULAR DATA, SEE ABSTRACT VOLUME. Out of the 4
