[Population screening for HIV in Sisimiut, Greenland].
BACKGROUND
In the years 1985-1998, 91 HIV-positive persons were diagnosed in Greenland, resulting in an incidence of HIV infection three times higher in Greenland than in Denmark. Of these cases 25% were diagnosed in Sisimiut, which, however, only comprises 10% of the total population of Greenland. In spite of an active HIV case-tracing programme at the Health Centre, there was a fear of unknown HIV-positives in the town. Therefore, the Health Centre initiated an HIV screening campaign among all adults and school children in the town of Sisimiut and two adjacent settlements.


METHODS
The screening campaign was carried out in the weeks 46 and 47 in November 1998 by the staff at the Health Centre. All participants filled out a questionnaire concerning demographic variables, and had blood samples drawn. For adults the campaign mainly took place in the community centre and the large work places, and for the children at the schools. Blood samples were tested for antibodies against HIV 1 and 2 at Statens Serum Institut using ELISA tests and confirmatory Western Blot.


RESULTS
Of the total population of 4807, 2858 persons took part in the screening campaign (participation rate 59%). Among adults the participation rate was 50%, and for children aged 6-17 years the rate was 86%. Four HIV-positive persons were tested positive. Of these three were already known HIV-positives, and the last person was highly suspect of HIV infection.


CONCLUSIONS
There is no evidence of widespread HIV infection in Sisimiut. No unknown groups of HIV-positive persons were identified. Thus, the intensive case-tracing programme as carried out by the Health Centre seems effective.
Olsen
O R
OR
Sisimiut Sundhedscenter, Grønland.
Koch
A
A
Krause
T G
TG
Barselajsen
G
G
Christiansen
C B
CB
Melbye
M
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002648:Child; D016358:Contact Tracing; D004797:Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay; D005260:Female; D006116:Greenland / Q000453:epidemiology; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000517:prevention & control; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening; D008875:Middle Aged; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires