Since 1983 many jurisdictions have adopted laws, regulations, and other legal instruments in response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic. Differences exist both within and between countries regarding systems for reporting HIV and AIDS, and it is clear that compliance with existing requirements is incomplete. So far WHO has identified HIV/AIDS in 80 nations. Some nations initially relied on voluntary reporting, and many jurisdictions strongly emphasize the maintenance of confidentiality in reporting procedures. Topics covered in reporting forms include the person's identity, date of birth sex, marital status, address, ethnic origin, clinical symptoms, diagnostic methods, sexual orientation, intravenous drug use, blood transfusions, prostitution, and hemophilia. 20 reference notes.