Prevalence of HIV-1 Infection in 18 Year Old Men in Tuscany

Background. The main route of transmission of the human immunodeficiency virus type 1 (HIV-1) is sexual contact. A high proportion of young adults is exposed to this mode of transmission. Therefore it is important to assess the level of HIV-1 prevalence among 18 year olds in Italy. Methods. Available blood samples taken at the physical examination of the military draft visit in Tuscany, Italy, have been tested in an anonymous unlinked fashion for HIV-1 infection in 1990 and 1991. Results. In the 2 years, 4478 and 4959 men were tested, respectively, representing 91.7% of all subjects included in the draft lists. Prevalence of HIV-1 infection was 1.12 per 1000 (95%CI : 0.36-2.61 per 1000) in 1990 and 0.20 per 1000 (95% CI : 0.01-1.12) in 1991. Conclusions. Prevalence of HIV-1 infection in the 18 year old male population in Tuscany is close to or below 1/1000. Evidence of the presence of HIV-1 infection in this population should prompt the implementation of adequate prevention programmes among adolescents.