[HIV/AIDS counseling services for foreigners at the Shinjuku Public Health Center].

Since October 1994, the Shinjuku Public Health Center in collaboration with an NGO, has offered AIDS counseling services for foreigners. Although the NGO operated with volunteers before July 1995, the Center began budgeted HIV/AIDS counseling for foreigners from July 1995. The pre-HIV test counseling and post-test counseling sessions were held twice a month, in English, Thai, Spanish and Portuguese. Counselors who speak those languages worked in coordination with staff members of the Center. Starting July 1995, counseling by telephone was also offered. During the 1 1/2 years, from October 1994 to March 1996, 600 people visited the Center for HIV tests and AIDS counseling, of whom 103 (17%) were foreigners. Among the 103 foreigners, one person was detected as seropositive. The 103 foreigners included 56 Thai speakers, 20 English speakers, 8 Portuguese speakers, 7 Spanish speakers and 12 people who speak other native languages (Chinese, Korean, Burmese, Iranian). From July 1995 to March 1996, (about 8 months), 39 foreigners utilized the telephoned service for HIV test information: these 39 included 5 seropositive persons and AIDS patients. The number of foreigners visiting the Center for AIDS counseling and the number of foreigners utilizing the telephone service has increased each year. It is expected that the demand for these services will increase continuously in future.