[Reasons for HIV testing. Casual sexual contacts are the most common reasons for voluntary HIV testing]

In Sweden, voluntary testing for HIV (human immunodeficiency virus)-antibodies has been given an important place in combating AIDS (acquired immunodeficiency syndrome). To elicit the reasons why people seek voluntary testing on their own initiative outside general screening programmes, during a three-year period (1989-91) applicants at a major urban testing locale were asked to fill in an anonymous questionnaire, which was completed by 68.6 per cent (831/1,212) of those eligible. Of the 831 respondees (both men and women), 88.9 per cent cited recent casual sexual contact as the reason why they might be at risk. Although in most cases no particular risk factors were reported to be associated with the sexual contact, in 17 cases (2.3 per cent) the partner was known to be an HIV-carrier. Of 664 people completing the item on the questionnaire 208 (31.3 per cent) reported the sexual contact to have occurred abroad. When the reason for undergoing the test was not possible recent exposure, the commonest reasons given were persistent anxiety or the establishment of a new sexual relationship. Only one of the 1,212 tests performed was HIV-positive.