Publication:

Socio-demographic and clinical profile of HIV/AIDS patients in HAART era at a tertiary care hospital in North-West Rajasthan, India

Background To study the socio-demographic and clinical profile of HIV/AIDS patients in HAART Era at a Government tertiary care centre.

Methods The present study was carried out on 300 HIV/ AIDS patients in Department of Ophthalmology in collaboration with ART centre at a govt. tertiary care centre, from the period of February 2015 to November 2015. Patients were studied for their different demographic parameters, clinical spectrum and ocular manifestations of the HIV/ AIDS disease.

Results Age range of study population was 4 years to 73 years, with 57.66% males and 42% females and 0.33% intersex. Majority of the patient’s (82.67%) were in adult (15 to 49 years) age group. Heterosexual contact was the commonest (86.67%) mode of HIV transmission. Most common occupation group, among males was laborers while most of females were house wives accounting for 26.33% and 34% of the study group respectively. Majority of patients belonged to class IV (34.66%) and class III (34.33%) of socioeconomic status. Commonest associated systemic disease was tuberculosis, seen in 14% of patients. Out of total only 9.33% patients had CD4+Tcell count ≤100/mm3, 46.33% of patients were in WHO stage I of HIV/AIDS disease and 78.33% patients were on ART.

Conclusions Majority of patients belonged to low socioeconomic status and in young and productive age group with heterosexual contact being commonest mode of transmission. Majority of our patients were at relatively good immune status, and in early stage of the disease. This shows an impact of early case detection and timely institution of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART).