HIV antibody seroprevalence in the emergency department at Port Moresby General Hospital, Papua New Guinea.

Objective: To determine the prevalence of HIV antibody in patients presenting to the ED at Port Moresby General Hospital in Papua New Guinea.

Method: Three hundred patients in whom blood samples were taken for investigation of illness or injury between April and July 2003 were surveyed for HIV antibodies. Sex, age and presenting illness were recorded.

Results: Fifty-four tests (18%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 14-23%) were positive. Forty-seven per cent were men and 53% were women. The most common presenting illnesses were respiratory tract infections (37%) and gastrointestinal tract infections (26%). Because of resource constraints results were not linked to patients and there was no follow up.

Conclusion: These limited data support the prediction that the developing HIV/AIDS epidemic in Papua New Guinea will be serious.