[HIV in Sweden--more and more part of the world epidemic]

During the years 1997-2001 there were 1213 cases of HIV reported in Sweden. By using a questionnaire sent to respective clinics, additional information was obtained for 1018 patents. The transmission routes were: 28 per cent homosexual, 65 per cent heterosexual, 10 per cent intravenous drug abuse, 1 per cent blood transfusion (none in Sweden) and 6 per cent other/unknown. 61 per cent of men infected by sex with men had contracted their infection in Sweden whilst this was true for 14 per cent of heterosexually infected men and 20 per cent of heterosexually infected women. Instead many with heterosexually transmitted infections had been infected in Africa or Asia where in many cases the patients also originated from. In 15 per cent of cases the HIV infection was detected in conjunction with a diagnosis of aids. Partner notification led to at least 0.12 (127/1018) new cases per index case.