Human immunodeficiency virus infection in women in Auckland: an evolving epidemic

To study the epidemiology, presenting features and outcome of HIV infection among women in Auckland.

Retrospective review of the medical records of all HIV infected women cared for by the adult infectious disease unit or the sexual health clinic at Auckland Hospital up to the end of December, 1993.

Thirty women with HIV infection were cared for between September 1986 and December 1993. Heterosexual intercourse, often with a man from a country with endemic heterosexual HIV transmission, was the most common means of acquiring HIV infection. Late diagnosis of infection probably contributed to the brief median survival seen in the nine women who developed AIDS.

Increased education is necessary to inform women about the risks of acquiring HIV infection. This education should encourage safer sexual behaviour and the use of needle exchange programmes to minimise the growth of this epidemic.