HIV infection and Scottish general practice: workload and current practice

Abstract

To estimate the effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection on general practice, a postal survey was undertaken of one in three of all principals in Scotland. Of the 834 general practitioners who responded (78% response rate), 31% were working in practices with patients known to be infected with HIV. The estimated prevalence of known HIV infection in general practice was 19 per 100,000 population, and the estimated annual consultation rate for HIV related problems (including consultations by the 'worried well') was seven per 1000 population. Both statistics showed considerable variation between health boards, with peaks in Lothian and Tayside. Few practices had drawn up policies relevant to HIV infection, and the use of procedures for controlling infection was variable. Policies about HIV and for infection control tended to be more common in areas where the prevalence of HIV infection was higher. Most respondents were offering both opportunistic health education and counselling about HIV infection, especially to patients at high risk. Although general practitioners are responding positively to the increasing demands of HIV infection, there is an urgent need for policies, both national and local, to guide specific aspects of practice.