HIV infection in male patients attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic.

Three hundred and fifty-two heterosexual males, attending a sexually transmitted disease clinic at Siriraj Hospital from December 1989 to February 1991 were studied for the prevalence of HIV infection. Of these, 334 men reported prostitutes as the main source of their sexually transmitted disease. No one had received blood transfusion in the last 5 years, and there was no history of intravenous drug use, homosexuality or bisexuality. HIV antibody was found in the sera of 24 men (6.8%). HIV seropositivity was associated with serologic makers of syphilis (P < 0.05) but was not associated with present genital ulcers on physical examination or other STDs. These data indicate the high rate of female prostitutes to male transmission of HIV infection in the presence of sexually transmitted disease and confirms the relationship between syphilis and HIV infection. HIV/AIDS educational programmes and campaigns to promote condom use among prostitutes and clients are an urgent need in Thailand.