Prevalence of HIV-1 infection among heterosexual men and women attending genitourinary clinics in Scotland: unlinked anonymous testing

In late 1990 a survey of unlinked anonymous HIV testing of patients attending genitourinary clinics in Glasgow and Edinburgh was implemented to monitor the prevalence of HIV-1 infection among sentinel populations at high risk of infection. These clinics served 90% and 100% of their respective city populations. We report on the prevalence of HIV infection among heterosexual men and women who were not known to have injected drugs and who attended clinics in Edinburgh and Glasgow from 1991 to 1995. Each clinic routinely performed serology testing for syphilis on patients who might have acquired a sexually transmitted disease. Patients eligible for study included those who presented for the first time in a calendar quarter and who did not object to their blood undergoing unlinked anonymous testing for HIV. Epidemiological data were recorded and included clinic of attendance, sexual orientation, sex, whether the patient had ever injected drugs, and limited geographical characteristics …