HIV seroprevalence in clients of sentinel family planning clinics.

In February 1988 the New York State Department of Health initiated a study to determine the prevalence of HIV antibody in women attending selected, publicly subsidized family planning clinics. During a 26-month study period, 27,549 blood specimens were obtained from women having an initial medical examination in 41 clinic sites throughout the state. Of these clients 144 (0.52 percent) were seropositive. The HIV seroprevalence rate increased with age to a high of 1.56 percent for 831 women ages 35 to 39. The seroprevalence rate for non-Hispanic Black or Hispanic clients (0.76 percent) was about six times the rate for non-Hispanic Whites (0.13 percent). No overall increasing or decreasing trend in prevalence of HIV infection was detected during the study period.

HIV seroprevalence in a facility for runaway and homeless adolescents.

In October 1987, the New York State Department of Health initiated a study to determine the prevalence of antibody to HIV in clients of a facility for runaway and homeless adolescents in New York City. A risk-assessment component was added in May 1988. As of December 1989, a total of 2,667 adolescents had been tested, and 142 (5.3 percent) were found to be HIV-seropositive (males 6.0 percent, females 4.2 percent). The seroprevalence rate increased from 1.3 percent for 15-year-olds to 8.6 percent for 20-year-olds. Hispanics had the highest seroprevalence rate (6.8 percent), followed by non-Hispanic Whites (6.0 percent) and non-Hispanic Blacks (4.6 percent). HIV seropositivity was associated with intravenous drug use, male homosexual/bisexual activity, prostitution, and history of another sexually transmitted disease. The alarmingly high prevalence of HIV infection in this selected population illustrates the immediate need for prevention programs for adolescents.