P R E S S   R E L E A S E

The Centre for Clinical Trials and Epidemiological Research (CCTER) of The Chinese University of Hong Kong successfully interviewed 252 male Hong Kong residents (age 18-60) who had visited a commercial sex worker in the past 6 months, and 85 who reported that they had ever had sex with a man. The survey was conducted via the "Conference Line Service" as to ensure the confidentiality of the information given by the respondents and that the data obtained were more reliable. 

Funded by the Hong Kong AIDS Trust Fund, the survey was conducted in November 1999.  Dr. Joseph Lau, Director of CCTER, pointed out that the prevalence of HIV testing in the high-risk population is low compared with some western countries. Only 16.1% who had visited one or more female sex workers in the past 7 months had undergone an HIV testing in the past 6 months. 17% of the respondents who had not always been using condom while have sexual intercourse with a sex worker had undergone an HIV testing in the past 6 months. 15.5% of whom had ever had sex with the same sex (MSM) had an HIV testing in the past 6 months.  Surprisingly, only 16.1% who perceived high or moderate chance of contracting HIV in the future took a test in the past 6 months. In western countries, such as United States and Switzerland, the testing rate in those populations is as high as 50-60%. The study also found that having sexual intercourse with sex workers in the past 6 months, number of female sex partners, and MSM behaviour were the major factors associated with HIV testing.

31.5% of the respondents reported that the reasons for not taking a HIV test immediately was being frightened for a positive result. 23.8% thought that the chance of being infected was very low and 11.9% frightened of being identified. These data suggest that psychological factors are crucial to HIV testing behavior.

Private clinic (45.3%) was the most popular place for HIV testing. About 25.3% of the testing took place in government hospitals. Less than 10% of the respondents indicated that they were tested in AIDS NGOs or other sites. 

The data from another study concerning the quality of life among AIDS/HIV patients revealed that of 286 HIV/AIDS patients surveyed, 32% had waited more than a year since they suspected themselves having contracted the HIV till they took an HIV test.

Dr Lau pointed out that the results of the present study have raised the concern about a possible delay in the diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS in Hong Kong. The low prevalence of HIV antibody testing in Hong Kong may be related to the inadequacy of relevant AIDS education/prevention programmes. Those programmes should be directed toward different risk-groups. Dr Lau also suggests that the government should evaluate the efficacy and feasibility of the self-assessment methods currently available in the market, so that people who are in need with an HIV testing would have an alternative.