The prevalence of HIV infection and the knowledge of AIDS among Thai labourers at Siriraj Hospital between 1994 and 1995.

ABSTRACT

From January 1994 to December 1995, a total of 71,249 patients (37,167 in 1994 and 34.082 in 1995) attended the clinic for labourers going abroad at Siriraj Hospital for a pre-assignment physical exam and mandatory blood screen for HIV antibody Of this total, 300 tested positive for HIV antibody (0.8 per cent) in 1994 and 244 (0.7 per cent) in 1995 respectively. The largest proportion of HIV positive persons were from the upper northern provinces of Thailand, Bangkok and Samutprakran (0.8 to 3.0 per cent). Of 614 labourers who volunteered to participate in an interview on the level of knowledge about AIDS, which was conducted by a clinic nurse, 13.6 per cent of the participants accepted that they were more likely to have had sexual intercourse with female commercial sex workers or other women, rather than their wives. Sexual intercourse appears to be the most plausible mode of HIV transmission for those Thai labourers who tested HIV transmission for those Thai labourers who tested HIV –positive, as none had history of injecting drugs. Therefore it is imperative to continue efforts to promote 100 per cent condom use in commercial sex as the norm. In addition, a notification link should be established between the Ministry of Labour and Social Welfare, job placement agencies, the AIDS division and the nearest provincial medical authority, in to provide post-test counseling and follow-up on regular basis to this group of Thai labourers as those who are infected may transmit HIV to others in their home provinces.