disease and its importance to public health. However, the epidemiology AIDS differs from one country to another. In North America, western Europe, Australia and New Zealand, the major groups infected are homosexual and bisexual men and intravenous drug abusers. Heterosexual transmission is responsible for only a small percentage of cases, although the percentage is increasing. For every female AIDS sufferer there are between 10 and 15 males. In Africa and Haiti, AIDS appears to be spread mostly by heterosexual relationships and there is an equal number of male and female sufferers. Transmission through intravenous drug use and homosexual relationships occurs very rarely, if at all.
22. In Hong Kong AIDS has been largely confined to certain groups. Of the 13 confirmed AIDS cases reported up to May 1988, most are male homosexuals and bisexuals and there is no intravenous drug abuser. The ratio of male to female sufferers is 12:1. Of the 118 HIV infected persons reported up to March 1988, 52 are haemophiliacs, 43 are male homosexuals and bisexuals, 8 hetero- sexuals, and 3 persons whose infection is transfusion-related. It is not known how the remaining 12 contracted the disease. With the introduction of screening of all donated blood, the risk of transfusion-related HIV infection should now be reduced to a negligible level. In Hong Kong, AIDS is most likely to spread through sexual relations.
23. Hong Kong is at a crossroad for international travel and this provides ample opportunity for the introduction and spread of the HIV. The Medical and Health Department in Hong Kong is concerned with this potential threat and as early as 1984 introduced effective measures to prevent and control AIDS. These include safeguarding blood and blood products, screening for HIV infection, health education and publicity, and counselling. Without a vaccine or an effective cure for AIDS, public education and information must be the mainstay for containing the spread of infection. Accordingly, the Medical and Health Department has introduced a publicity programme to meet the different needs of the general population, the high risk groups and adolescents. Special publicity efforts have been directed towards modifying sexual behaviour, for example, reducing the number of sexual partners, avoiding promiscuity and practising safer sex. Up to January 1988 1917 homosexuals and bisexuals had approached the AIDS Counselling Clinic.
24. There appear to be two opposing views concerning AIDS and a change in the law on homosexual behaviour. One view is that a change in the law will encourage homosexual behaviour and consequently facilitate the spread of AIDS. Those supporting these views may point to countries with more liberal homosexual laws, where AIDS is still spreading. The opposite view is that liberalisation of the law will encourage practising homosexuals to come forward for screening and counselling. Infected homosexuals may be prepared to identify their sexual partners and thereby help contain the spread of AIDS. The ability to modify high risk sexual behaviour is a very complex issue influenced
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