CD4 Cell Count in HIV positive subjects in Asaba, South South Nigeria –

Abstract

Objective : A two year retrospective evaluation of the CD4 cell count in HIV/AIDS subjects attending the adult HIV Clinic of the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba, Delta State, Nigeria. Methodology : The case notes of all confirmed HIV subjects, who visited the HIV Clinics of the Federal Medical Centre, Asaba between December 2005 to November 2007 were retrieved from the medical records. Those with incomplete records were excluded. Biodata [including sex, age, educational status and occupation] and CD4 cell count on initial hospital visit were recorded and reviewed. The mean, standard deviation and percentages of relevant data were calculated and data presented in simple descriptive statistics. Results : Three hundred and four (304) subjects with complete medical records were evaluated within the study period. One hundred and sixty eight (168; 55.3%) were males while one hundred and thirty six (136; 44.7%) were females, with female/male ratio being 1: 1.2.Their ages ranged from 21 years to 70 years, with a mean age of 38.3 ± 10.56 years. Most of the subjects (61.8%) were aged 40 years and below and most had a low literacy level [92.1% attained a maximum educational status of secondary education or less]. Their CD4 cell count ranged from 8 to 566 cells/mm3, with a mean of 98.1 ± 106.22. Most of the subjects [86.9%] had CD4 cell count of 200 or less. Conclusion : Most subjects with HIV/AIDS present initially to hospital with very low CD4 cell counts. Most also are young with low literacy levels.