[The use of serological tests for detecting HIV infection in general clinical consultations and hospital consultations].
OBJECTIVE
To determine the number and type of HIV tests requested in general practice (GP) and in hospital outpatient clinics, to identify principle risk behaviors, to determine the percentage of HIV positive tests and to identify possible factors associated with the request of HIV tests.


METHODS
Cross-sectional, analytical and observational study, involving 80 GPs and 45 hospital specialists in the region of Lisbon. All requests for HIV tests were analysed during a 12 month period.


RESULTS
936 HIV tests were requested, with a mean of 12.47 in GP and 0.69 in the hospital. Risk behaviors observed were mainly heterosexual contacts and intravenous drug abuse (IVDA). The motives of the requests mainly were pregnancy, risk behaviors in GP and the presence of symptoms suggesting HIV infection in the hospital. The initiative of the request came from doctors in 70% of the cases. The percentage of HIV positive tests (ELISA + Western blot) was 4.2% in GP and 32% in the hospital. According to risk behaviors, the percentage of seropositivity was 33% in homo/bisexuals, 13% in IVDA, 7% in heterosexuals with risk behaviors and 0.2% in individuals with unidentified risk behaviors.


CONCLUSIONS
The patterns of request of HIV tests differ in hospital and in GP. In a significant percentage of cases, no informed consent was obtained prior to HIV testing, both in hospital and GP. This study may serve as an indicator of the need for information and education programs concerning HIV testing directed to health professionals and the general population.
Maria
V A
VA
Centro de Saúde do Cacém, ARS de Lisboa e Vale do Tejo.
Pimpão
M V
MV
Carvalho
M L
ML
Sousa
A E
AE
Lucas
M M
MM
Victorino
R M
RM
D000328:Adult; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005194:Family Practice / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015483:HIV Antibodies / Q000097:blood*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000175:diagnosis; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence; D015497:HIV-1 / Q000276:immunology*; D006801:Humans; D007159:Immunologic Tests / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010044:Outpatient Clinics, Hospital / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011174:Portugal / Q000453:epidemiology; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012307:Risk Factors
D015483:HIV Antibodies
Utilização de testes serológicos para detecção de infecção pelo VIH em consultas de clínica geral e em consultas hospitalares.