Abstract
Objective: To clarify the experience with diagnosis and reporting on HIV-infected persons and AIDS patients of physicians who were in charge of HIV/AIDS treatment in AIDS core hospitals and analyze the factors that may influence the decision to report.
Materials and Methods: Through the chief physicians of the 391 departments that are concerned with AIDS treatment in the 387 medical facilities established as AIDS core hospitals, an anonymous questionnaire regarding their experience with the diagnosis and reporting of HIV/AIDS patients was distributed to all physicians who were in charge of AIDS treatment as of December 31, 1999. It was requested that the questionnaire be returned by mail.
Results: Of all 391 departments, 224 (57%) cooperated with the survey. A total of 704 questionnaires were distributed to the physicians and 681 (97%) were returned, among which 642 (91 %) contained data that were contributory to our survey. It was learned that 341 respondents (53%) had made a diagnosis of HIV/AIDS and more than 80% of the physicians experienced making diagnosis of HIV/AIDS reported all patients. The rate of reporting on HIV/AIDS patients improved after April 1, 1999. The two major reasons for not reporting were: “because the patient was referred to another physician”; and “because it was believed that the incidence had already been reported”. Physicians in specialties other than internal medicine or pediatrics reported incidences less frequently.
Conclusion: It is conceivable that reporting on HIV/AIDS patients fairly accurately reflects the incidence of this disease in Japan. Following the implementation of the Law Concerning the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Patients with Infectious Diseases, the rate of reporting on HIV/AIDS patients improved. However, a change in the law concerning reporting on patients who progress to AIDS from mandatory to voluntary may result in non-reporting of some in the future.
