Selected aspects of AIDS among homosexual men

This report is a brief summary of important points concerning AIDS and homosexual men. We present the current overall figures of the cumulative AIDS incidence for Switzerland, the United States and the world and similar figures for homosexual men in Switzerland, the United States and Europe. A brief history of the epidemic is included with focus on the role of homosexual men. The main risk factors for acquiring HIV infection among homosexual men, including large numbers of sexual partners, receptive and intercourse and rectal douching, are mentioned with emphasis on results from "The San Francisco Men's Health Study". The development of education and prevention programs is outlined along with the role in these areas of The Swiss AIDS Foundation and Swiss Federal Office of Public Health. Decreases in high risk sexual practices and decrease in seroconversion rates are also discussed.