Seroepidemiology of HIV infection is determined
in communities with predisposing risk factors and communities without
risk factors. Surveillance methodology includes both voluntary
HIV testing and unlinked
anonymous screening.
The following table summarises the regular programmes
under the Serosurveillance system : -
SETTING
SYSTEM
SINCE
SAMPLE SIZE
(a) community with predisposing risk factors
STD patients
Social Hygiene Clinics
Voluntary testing to all clients
1985
30000 - 40000 / year
Drug users (1)
Methadone Clinics
Unlinked anonymous screening using urine samples
1992
2000 - 4000 / year
Drug users (2)
All rehabilitation services
Voluntary testing
1985
300 - 1000 / year
Drug users (3)
Street addicts approached by outreach workers
Voluntary testing on unlinked saliva samples
1993 (to 1997)
200 - 500 / year
(b) Community without risk factors
Blood donors
Hong Kong Red Cross Blood Transfusion Service
A requirement to all potential donors
1985
150000 - 200000 / year
Antenatal women
All maternal and child
health centres and public hospitals
Universal voluntary
testing
Sept 2001
~40000/year
Neonates
Testing of Cord blood
Unlinked anonymous screening on blood samples
1990
4000 / year
Civil servants
Pre-employment health check
Unlinked anonymous screening on blood samples
1991 (once)
1553
(c)
Community with undefined risk
TB patients (1)
TB and Chest Clinics of the Department of Health
Unlinked anonymous screening
1990
1000 / year
TB patients (2)
TB and Chest Clinics of the Department of Health
Voluntary testing
1993
2000 - 3500 / year
Prisoners
Penal institutions
Unlinked anonymous screening on blood / urine samples
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