§ Mr. Chris SmithTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will outline the most recent findings of the unlinked anonymous monitoring of HIV prevalence in England and Wales; what levels of HIV were found in patients of district general hospitals aged between 16 to 49 years; what projections had been made for this age group; what plans she has to extend anonymous HIV testing among district general hospital patients or to increase prevention activities; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. SackvilleThe most recent findings from the unlinked anonymised HIV surveys in England and Wales were published in the Public Health Laboratory Services (PHLS) communicable disease report of 1 January 1993, copies are available in the Library.
The results included initial findings from a pilot survey conducted in two London district general hospitals. HIV prevalence in patients aged 16 to 49 attending specialities thought unlikely to be associated with HIV related illnesses was one in 170 for men and one in 600 for women. The great majority of AIDS cases and HIV infection diagnosed in England and Wales has been within this age group.
The results of the surveys indicate that HIV remains a cause for concern and that public education work should continue to draw attention to the risks of HIV infection and how these risks can be reduced. The findings from all elements of the anonymised HIV survey programme will be taken into account in the further development of the HIV prevention strategies.
The Day report published by the PHLS in 1990 included a projection of the incidence of AIDS to the end of 1993, but not HIV infections.
The Medical Research Council is considering proposals from the PHLS to expand the general hospital study.