[AIDS Hotline Flanders: results in 1988].

Abstract

The Stichting Aids Gezonheidszorg informs the general public about the disease via the Aids hotline. The aims are twofold: 1. We want to inform and support people; if necessary, we also refer to more adequate organisations for assistance; 2. We want to know who calls us and what are the needs so that we can help in organizing prevention campaigns. In 1988 we answered 1.987 authentic calls, about the same as in 1987. To allow more people to call, the opening hours of the hot-line will be increased from September 1989 onwards. 70% of the callers are men, 28% women. We notice two important subgroups: people who visit prostitutes and male homosexuals. Most callers are between 26 and 40 years old. Also more young people under 25 called last year. Prostitutes and I.V. drug users however rarely called. A lot of people call because they think to have run some risk. Therefore most questions deal with sexual transmission and blood tests. The number of people who had their blood tested is rather small. Most of them are homosexuals or visitors of prostitutes. This last group is most acquainted with the use of a condom, more than homosexuals and heterosexuals. Still a rather big percentage of people from all groups never use a condom. Therefore efficient campaigns are highly necessary.