Trends of HIV seropositivity at Siriraj Hospital: 13 year's observation from 1992-2004.
OBJECTIVE
The aim of the present report was to observe the trend of seroprevalence rates of HIV seropositivity for routine services at Siriraj Hospital for 13 years.


METHODS
The prevalence rate of HIV seropositivity was analyzed in three groups of subjects: 1) patients who attended the hospital with HIV related diseases; 2) pregnant women at first visit to the antenatal care clinic; 3) emigrating workers who have applied for employment in foreign countries.


RESULTS
Of the 13 year-observation, HIV seroprevalence rates in the groups of patients, pregnant women and emigrating workers was 10.6% (95%CI 8.9-12.3%), 2.0% (95%CI 1.8-2.2%) and 0.6% (95%CI 0.4-0.8%), respectively.


CONCLUSIONS
The low prevalence of HIV seropositivity in the group of emigrating workers may be due to self selection, whereas the prevalence in pregnant women, which was rather consistent at about 2.0%, may represent the infection rate in the general population. The seroprevalence rate measured in the group of pregnant women demonstrates that Thailand should increase efforts to confine the spread of HIV infection in the community.
Louisirirotchanakul
Suda
S
Department of Microbiology, Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, Mahidol University, Bangkok, Thailand. sudaloui@yahoo.com
Siritantikorn
Sontana
S
Kositanont
Uraiwan
U
Kantakamalakul
Wannee
W
Sutthent
Ruengpuang
R
Auewarakul
Prasert
P
Chuachoowong
Rutt
R
Wasi
Chantapong
C
Puthavathana
Pilaipan
P
D004641:Emigration and Immigration; D005260:Female; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000150:complications; D015528:HIV Seroprevalence / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D011247:Pregnancy; D013785:Thailand / Q000453:epidemiology; D013997:Time Factors