Prevalence of HIV coinfection in Tuberculosis patients among drug abusers in Northern India

Dr Anjali; Dr G. C. Ahir; Dr Kiranjit

Volume : IX, Issue : III, March - 2020

Prevalence of HIV coinfection in Tuberculosis patients among drug abusers in Northern India

Dr Anjali, Dr G. C. Ahir, Dr Kiranjit

Abstract :

Background:The intricate linkage of HIV with TB and substance drug abuse, and its convergence with incarceration pose a massive challenge to the clinical and programmatic management of HIV–related TB, particularly in settings in which injecting drug use is driving the HIV epidemic. Objective: Present study was planned to know the prevalence of HIV TB patients amongst drug abusers and their clinical and radiological findings. Methods:It was a hospital based cross–sectional study conducted over a period of one year from March 2018 to Feuary 2019 in Pulmonary medicine and psychiatry department of a tertiary care teaching hospital in Punjab where 310 drug abuser with microbiologically confirmed TB were screened for HIV. Results: Out of 310 drug abusers with TB cases, HIV serology was positive in 65 (21.0%) cases. HIV was significantly more common in study subject with IV drug abuse compared to those who did not take IV drugs. Conclusion: Prevalence of HIV coinfection is very high in TB patients among drug abusers so all TB patients with history of drug abuse should be asked regarding their risk factors for HIV infection and counselled to undergo HIV testing.