PREVALENCE OF HIV AMONG ICTC ATTENDEES AT INDIRA GANDHI INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES, PATNA, BIHAR

Dr. Rakesh Kumar; Dr. Shailesh Kumar; Dr. Swati Salila; Dr. Kumar Vikram; Dr. Namrata Kumari; Dr. Anima Xess; Dr. S. K. Shahi

Volume : VII, Issue : IV, April - 2017

PREVALENCE OF HIV AMONG ICTC ATTENDEES AT INDIRA GANDHI INSTITUTE OF MEDICAL SCIENCES, PATNA, BIHAR

Dr. Rakesh Kumar, Dr. Shailesh Kumar, Dr. Swati Salila, Dr. Kumar Vikram, Dr. Namrata Kumari, Dr. Anima Xess, Dr. S. K. Shahi

Abstract :

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has emerged as one of the most serious public health problem in the country. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) counselling and testing (HCT) conducted at Integrated Counseling and Testing Centers (ICTCs) is an entry point, cost–effective intervention in preventing transmission of HIV. Therefore, this study was conducted to find out the HIV sero–status, socio–demographic profile, and risk behavior pattern of attendees and to elucidate the reasons for their visit to the center. It is hospital based cross–sectional study of 29,907 registered ICTC clients at a tertiary care hospital in Bihar over a period from January 2012 to December 2015. A total of 517 (1.7%) out of 29,740 who were tested for HIV were sero–positive. Among HIV sero–positives, 335 (64.7%) were males, 177 (34.2%) were females and 5 (0.96%) were pregnant women. Majority (80.4%) of seropositive were between the age group of 15–49 years. Positives were more amongst married, less educated, low socioeconomic status and out migrants (P<0.0001). Risk factors included heterosexual promiscuous (88%), parent–to–child transmission (5%), unknown (5%), infected blood transfusion (1%), homosexual (1%), and infected needles (1%). There is need to encourage activities that promote HCT in all health facilities. The data generated in ICTC provide an important clue to understand increasing incidence of HIV. The epidemiological profile helps in treatment plan and proper care of HIV cases and preventive strategies for those at risk especially married, young adults, and out migrants to reduce spread of infections. < clear="all" style="page–eak–before:always; mso–eak–type:section–eak" />