Objective: The surveillance of HIV prevalence and incidence and of sexual risk behaviour among young homosexual men.
Design: Cohort study, cross-sectional data presentation.
Setting: Municipal Health Service of the City of Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
Methods: At entry into the study participants were questioned about their sexual behaviour and blood or saliva samples were collected for laboratory determination of antibodies against HIV, hepatitis B and syphilis.
Results: In June 1995-October 1996, 429 men with a mean age of 25 years were enrolled in the cohort study. Of these 22 (5%) were positive for antibodies against HIV. Based on the duration of homosexual activity of the participants the HIV incidence in this group was estimated at 1% per year. Furthermore, 10% of the participants had experienced hepatitis B infection and 1% had serological evidence of syphilis. Of those under investigation 38% had practised unprotected anogenital intercourse with steady or non-steady partners in the last six months.
Conclusions: The data suggest that HIV is spreading among young homosexual men. Given the high levels of risk behaviour continued prevention activities in this group are necessary.