[HIV testing in Denmark in 1993: were the tests relevant?]

Area of Science:

• Epidemiology
• Public Health
• Infectious Disease Surveillance

Background:

• HIV testing is crucial for early detection and prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) transmission.
• Understanding HIV testing patterns in specific populations is essential for targeted public health interventions.
• Data from 1993 provides a historical baseline for HIV testing behaviors in Denmark.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe HIV testing activity among adults in Denmark in 1993.
• To compare characteristics of HIV-tested individuals with newly diagnosed HIV-positive cases.
• To estimate HIV prevalence and testing frequency across different risk groups.

Main Methods:

• A cross-sectional study using anonymous questionnaires distributed with HIV test results over a two-week period in 1993.
• Inclusion of 996 women and 834 men, with comparisons to first-time identified HIV-positive cases from national surveillance.
• Statistical analysis to assess risk behaviors, demographics, testing history, and prevalence.

Main Results:

• 68% of men and 62% of women reported behaviors increasing HIV risk; testing rates increased with risk.
• HIV prevalence was 0.3% overall (0.5% men, 0.2% women).
• Annual HIV testing rates were 12% for Danish homosexual/bisexual men, 2.3% for adult women, and 1.8% for heterosexual men without IV drug use.

Conclusions:

• HIV testing studies combined with surveillance data are valuable for estimating testing frequency and relevance in the general population.
• Findings can inform national information campaigns and public health strategies for HIV prevention.
• Higher HIV testing uptake was observed among those with increased risk behaviors, particularly homosexual/bisexual men.