IJCM_283A: Clinico-demographic profile of patients attending anti retroviral therapy centre in a tertiary care hospital: a cross -sectional study

Background: HIV is a major global public health issue, having claimed 40.4 million lives so far globally. In India the estimated number of people living with HIV (PLHIV) is 2.5 million (WHO, 2022). For planning targeted interventions, it is essential to know the socio-demographic and clinical profile of the HIV/AIDS patients in any particular area. Objectives: To study the socio-demographic and clinical profile of PLHIV attending anti-retroviral therapy (ART) centre of J.N. Medical College, A.M.U., Aligarh (U.P.). Methodology: This is a cross sectional study and data was accessed from routine records at ART centre, JNMCH, AMU, Aligarh. Records of 370 PLHIV aged =18 years attending the antiretroviral clinic were studied and analyzed. Socio-demographic characteristics, risk behaviours and laboratory investigations were studied. Anemia was defined according to WHO criteria. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 20.0. P value <0.05 was considered significant. Results: Mean age of the patients was 33.6 + 10.1 years and 60.8% of them were males. Majority of the patients belonged to rural areas (60.5%). Sexual route was the most common (69.5%) mode of transmission; among which heterosexual route was the commonest (96.1%). CD4 count was found to be less than 200 cells/mm3 in 22.2% of patients. Anemia was present in 67.3% of patients, among which moderate anemia was commonest (50.2%). Prevalence of anemia was significantly higher in females (83.4%) than males (56.9%) (p<0.001) and in rural population (71.9%) than urban population (60.3%) (p=0.02). Conclusion: Majority of patients were males and belonged to rural areas. Commonest mode of transmission was sexual route. Thus, IEC activities should be targeted to these particular groups and knowledge regarding safe sexual practices should be given particularly in rural areas. Prevalence of anemia is very high in PLHIV. Targeted interventions aiming to prevent anemia in PLHIV should be strengthened.