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Women with HIV presenting at three London clinics between 1985-1992
P N Shah1, G M Iatrakis, J R Smith
1Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Charing Cross and Westminister Medical School, London, UK.
Genitourinary Medicine
|December 1, 1993
Summary
HIV infection in women in London has increased, primarily due to heterosexual transmission, particularly among women from Sub-Saharan Africa. Continued surveillance and safer sex education are recommended.
Area of Science:
- Epidemiology
- Infectious Diseases
- Public Health
Background:
- HIV infection patterns in women are evolving.
- Understanding demographic shifts in HIV transmission is crucial for public health interventions.
Purpose of the Study:
- To analyze the changing epidemiology of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection among women in London.
- To identify shifts in transmission modes and demographic factors influencing HIV incidence in women between 1984 and 1992.
Main Methods:
- Retrospective review of a computerized database.
- Supplementation of data through direct inspection of patient notes.
- Analysis of data from 357 HIV-seropositive women attending outpatient clinics.
Main Results:
- A steady rise in newly identified women with HIV was observed.
- A significant shift towards heterosexual transmission as the primary mode of infection was noted.
- The increase was largely attributed to a rise in infections among women from Sub-Saharan Africa, not within the UK-born population.
Conclusions:
- The rise in HIV infections among women is concentrated in specific "high risk" groups.
- Data interpretation requires caution due to potential biases from selective HIV testing.
- Ongoing safer sex education and epidemiological surveillance are vital, even with seemingly low risk in UK-born women.