Characteristics of HIV infection by sex in the surrounding area of the city of Buenos Aires

Abstract

Background: Gender differences are a major concern to develop intervention strategies. With the aim of evaluating gender differences we reviewed data of newly-diagnosed HIV patients at a center in the surrounding area of Buenos Aires. Methods & Materials: A retrospective cross sectional study was performed. We analyzed data of patients diagnosed between 2013 and 2016. We reviewed differences by sex on presence of symptoms, opportunistic events, age, primary mode of HIV transmission, level of education, alcohol, tobacco and illegal drug use, CD4 and viral load and pregnancy at HIV diagnosis. Statistical Analysis: Frequency distribution and descriptive statistics. Categorical variables were compared using chi square and fisher's exact test. Results: We analyzed 246 clinical charts. Women 121 (49,2%), men 123 (50%) and transgender 2 (0,8%). Men were diagnosis symptomatic in 69 cases (56,1%) and women in 32 (26,45) (OR 3,5 IC95% 2,07-6,08) and with opportunistic event in 46 (38,3%) and 27 (22,7%) (OR 2,1 IC95% 1,2-3,7), the primary mode of transmission was heterosexual in 100% of women and in 83,7% of men. MSM was reported in 12,2% and IDU in 4,1% of men. Alcohol use in 45,5% of cases in men and 16,5% in women, tobacco in 45,5% and 37,5% and illicit drug use in 26,6% and 6,6% respectively. 49,2% of women and 50,8% of men completed the primary level of education. The level of CD4 was lesser than 200 cel/ml in 62 men (50,8%) and 43 (35,5%) women. The median of CD4 was 308 in women and 182 in men, of age 30 and 40 years and of viral load 12541 and 38959 respectively. The diagnosis was performed during pregnancy in 32,5% of cases in women Conclusion: Our data showed a high level (higher than the reported by the HIV/aids national program) of symptoms, opportunistic events and low level of CD4 in the study population. Those values are higher in men compared with women being the difference statistically significative. The reported data must alert programs in relation to achieve our proposal goals of epidemic control. Men defined by themselves as heterosexual should be considered of a key population in terms of HIV control.