[Education of Mexican health personnel on AIDS]. / Educación del personal de salud de México sobre el SIDA.

We describe the epidemiology of AIDS as it pertains to health workers in Mexico. Of the 12,151 cases notified in adults up until 1993, 2.9% occurred among such workers. Two cases of occupational transmission have been documented. Seroprevalence surveys have shown an infection rate of less than 0.1%. Nonetheless, the frequency with which hepatitis B viral markers are present (11.8% of anti-HBs antibody carriers and 2% of anti-HBsAg antibody carriers) points to the fact that mechanisms for the transmission of both types of viruses are at work. Surveys conducted among health workers to explore their knowledge and attitudes on the subject of AIDS indicate that they share many false notions about the disease and that they stigmatize its victims. Educational campaigns have improved knowledge about the illness but have not modified people's attitudes significantly. Holding workshops has proved to be the most useful strategy for attitude modification. We describe a few strategies that may be useful for changing negative attitudes among health personnel. When calculating the frequency with which biosafety measures are implemented, it has been noted that their application is erratic. Epidemiologic studies have confirmed the existence of an association between the time of occupational exposure and the presence of hepatitis B viral markers. Many people reject adopting certain measures, such as anti-hepatitis vaccination. Finally, we analyze the need for continuous training and supplies if increased biosafety measures are to be adopted.

AIDS in Mexico: trends and projections.

The first case of AIDS in Mexico was reported in 1981. Through mid-1988, 1,502 cases had been reported, the incidence of cases having doubled every 7.7 months. Of the cases in adults, 87.6% were sexually transmitted, transfusion with contaminated blood or blood products accounted for 10.8%, and intravenous drug abuse for 0.3%. In the 56 pediatric AIDS cases reported, transmission through contaminated blood accounted for 67.9%, sexual contact for 5.4%, and perinatal transmission for 19.6%. The disease appears to be spreading from the large cities to peripheral and rural areas, and to be spreading faster among heterosexuals than among homosexual and bisexual males. Projections based on continued exponential doubling at the 1983-1986 rate suggest the cumulative AIDS case total could exceed 75,000 by the end of 1991. More conservative estimates based on an observed lengthening of the doubling time predict as many as 260,000 cases by the end of 1994.