Unlinked anonymous prevalence studies among sexual health clinic attenders
In countries like New Zealand where the prevalence of HIV infection in the general population is very low it is necessary to study sentinel populations – groups into which HIV is, or might be spreading. Sexual health clinics were chosen as a sentinel population as patients are likely to have been practising sexual behaviours which put them at risk of HIV infection.
The AIDS Epidemiology Group has carried out three unlinked anonymous prevalence studies in sexual health clinics in New Zealand. The first was in 1991–1992 in Auckland and Christchurch; the second in 1996–1997 in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, and Christchurch; and the third was in 2005–2006 in Auckland, Hamilton, Wellington, Christchurch, Palmerston North and Tauranga.
- NZ Medical Journal August 1993 (PDF)
- Executive summary 1996–1997 (PDF)
- International Journal STD & AIDS 2008 (PDF)
Unlinked anonymous prevalence studies among injecting drug users
Prevalence studies have also been undertaken among injecting drug users utilising the needle and syringe exchange programme.
Blood born virus seroprevalence survey executive summary
Review of Behavioural Donor Deferral Criteria
In 2007, Professor Charlotte Paul, Department of Preventive and Social Medicine, Dunedin School of Medicine, chaired a working party established by the New Zealand Blood Service (NZBS) to review the criteria used by NZBS to accept or reject offers of blood donation as it particularly relates to behaviour and the risk of HIV infection.