Abstract
Objective: The main objective of this study is to evaluate the prevalence of HIV infection among the clients attending ICTC, Gauhati Medical College & Hospital, Guwahati, for a period of seven years, i.e., from April 2008 to March 2015. Material & Method: A total of 40,983 clients attended ICTC, Gauhati Medical College & Hospital from the year 2008 to 2015. Serum samples were collected after taking informed consent and pre-test counseling. In India for all ICTCs, NACO (National AIDS Control Organization), a national guidelines has been followed for HIV testing, reporting and release of results with post test counseling. Results: Of the total 40,983 clients tested for HIV infection, 1919 (4.68%) were found to be HIV seropositive. Seropositivity was higher in male clients i.e. 1314 (68.47%) than female i.e. 604 (31.47%) followed by transgender (TG), i.e., 1 (0.0005%). Heterosexual route of transmission was the major route seen in 1666 clients (86.81%). Maximum HIV seropositivity was in the age group of 45 - 49 years (43.62%). Conclusion: HIV prevalence of 4.68 % among the clients attending ICTC, Gauhati Medical College & Hospital, Guwahati, puts the spotlight on the HIV burden in this part of the country and suggests the need for the scaling up of focused prevention efforts in high-risk groups.
Highlights
India registered its first case of HIV way later than in other parts of the world, but in the present scenario HIV has established itself as a major public health problem with tremendous social and economic implications
In India for all Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre GMCH (ICTC), NACO (National Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome ANC (AIDS) Control Organization), a national guidelines has been followed for HIV testing, reporting and release of results with post test counseling
Present study shows seropositivity of 4.68% among clients attending this ICTC. This is very high as compared to the seroprevalence among the general population (0.34%). Assam as such is not a high prevalence state and in Assam HIV prevalence in general population is 0.09% [11], high seroprevalence in this area as seen in our study is attributable to inclusion of clients in this ICTC from High-Risk Groups (HRG) like NGO’s, Man Having Sex with Man NACO (MSM)’s, and Transgender, a majority of whom are dwellers of bordering High prevalence states like Manipur and Nagaland
Summary
India registered its first case of HIV way later than in other parts of the world, but in the present scenario HIV has established itself as a major public health problem with tremendous social and economic implications. The risk behaviors and practices associated with an enhanced risk of transmission of HIV in India include Intravenous drug use, unprotected sexual inter-course, and transfusion of contaminated blood and blood products. HIV is an infection which many people have stigma, prejudices or negative attitudes about, which can result in people with HIV being insulted, gossiped about, rejected and excluded from social activities [1]. With rising global awareness and efforts for the effective treatment and prevention programmes, a new hope has dawned recently in the global AIDS epidemic. There are approximately 3.4 crores people currently living with HIV and about 3 crores people have died of AIDS related causes since the beginning of the epidemic [2]-[4]. India with a burden of 2.5 million people with HIV-1 infection makes it only the third largest HIV-1 epidemic in the world after Africa and Nigeria. India contributes to nearly 60% of South Asia’s total HIV epidemic [6]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
