Patterns and trends of sexual behavior, HIV testing, and HIV prevalence among all sexually transmitted disease clinic attenders in Denmark.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Persons attending a sexually transmitted disease (STD) clinic have shown to be at a higher risk for HIV infection than the population in general. We evaluate the patterns of HIV prevalence and testing in relation to reported risk behavior. STUDY DESIGN: Data have been collected on all new attenders at the Danish STD clinics. The study period was January 1, 1990 through March 1992. RESULTS: Testing for HIV was accepted by 74% and more often by women than men and more outside Copenhagen than in the city itself. Acceptance was lowest among homo/bisexual men seen in Copenhagen. The HIV prevalence was highest among homo/bisexual men with drug use (10.0%) and lowest among heterosexual men (0.3%) and women (0.2%). Among heterosexuals the test activity increased over time, and the test activity increased and the prevalence of HIV antibodies decreased with the number of reported sex partners. Among heterosexuals HIV infection was associated with not being born in Denmark and age (> or = 30 years old in women and > or = 35 years old in men). CONCLUSION: These results are relevant for the national HIV surveillance programs and campaigns, and stress the importance of offering HIV testing to all persons attending for an STD examination.