A clinico-epidemiological study of HIV seroconcordant and serodiscordant couples

Abstract

<p class="abstract"><strong>Background:</strong> The aim of the present study was to assess the epidemiological and risk factors that are likely to influence HIV transmission among married couples and to study the pattern of sexually transmitted infections among both concordant and discordant HIV infected couples..</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Methods:</strong> This cross-sectional study was done on 100 HIV patients and their married partners attending to Institute of Venereology, Madras Medical College, Tamil Nadu. Detailed history of their high risk sexual behaviour, previous veneral diseases (PVDs) was noted and physical and genital examination was done. All the partners of HIV cases were examined for HIV to know the serostatus (seroconcordant and serodiscordant).<strong></strong></p><p class="abstract"><strong>Results:</strong> Among the 100 married couples, 65 couples were seroconcordant for HIV and 35 couples were serodiscordant. Of them, 94 males and 71 females were positive for HIV. History of PVDs was found in 34 patients (28 were seroconcordants and 6 were serodiscordants). The most common STD in the males noticed was ano-genital warts (n=11) and genital ulceration (n=11) is associated with maximum seroconcordance rates. Whereas in the females it was bacterial vaginosis (n=11).</p><p class="abstract"><strong>Conclusions:</strong> The findings suggest that risk factors such as STDs, PVDs in males, anal intercourse, sexual contact during menstruation, avoidance of condom during sexual act and lack of circumcision was significantly associated with presence of HIV concordance in the study population. Duration and frequency of sexual contact with partner, previous venereal diseases in females and ART were found not to influence the transmission of HIV.</p>