Rashmi Rajkakati
BACKGROUND Clinico-epidemiological profile of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) epidemic in India is varied and depends on multitude of factors including geographic location. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinico-epidemiological pattern of HIV positive patients in Assam Medical College and Hospital, Dibrugarh, a tertiary care medical centre. MATERIALS AND METHODS This is a retrospective observational study. The study sample included all patients with HIV infection registered in ART centre, AMCH from January to December, 2017. RESULTS Total 90 HIV/AIDS patients were registered during the period. 73.3% were in the age group of 21-40 year and male: female ratio was 1.9:1. Majority (41.1%) had completed up to secondary education and 78.8% cases belonged from urban background. Major route of transmission was heterosexual (76.7%), followed by MSM (12.2%). No case was found with IV drug abuse. Most strikingly 45.5% of our cases had HIV positive spouse. 47.8% cases were diagnosed incidentally (Stage 1). 17.8% of our patient had opportunistic Kochâ??s, 6.7% had syphilis, 2.2% had hepatitis B and 38.3% of our patient had undiagnosed infections. 37.7% cases had CD4 count less than 200. Adherence to treatment was 85-95% (average) in majority of cases. CONCLUSION Lack of proper education is the major cause of exponential propagation of this chronic disease. Females are the worst sufferers from the inadvertent act of their male partner. There is need for early screening and increasing awareness in healthcare providers to make a diagnosis of HIV much sooner.
