Couples’ voluntary HIV counseling and testing in antenatal care services: Implications for prevention of mother-to-child transmission of HIV

Abstract

HIV/AIDS had been reported from the north of Thailand. Northern Thailand is the favorite living places of hill tribe people who migrated from the south China through Myanmar last 150 years ago. In the year 2011, reach to 600,000 people were living in these areas. The difference of culture and life styles of hill tribe people might be vulnerable for HIV/AIDS infection. This objective aimed to investigate the situation of HIV/AIDS among hill tribemarginalized and vulnerable population. Methods: The retrospective cohort study was conducted. The systematic data extraction from the medical records in 16 hospitals in northern Thailand during 1990-2010was performed. The six main hill tribe people: Akha, Lau, Karen, Yao, Kmong, and Lisuwere the target population. Chi square test was analyzed. Results: Totally 3130 cases were recruited into the study. 54.6% were male and 45.4%were female. The HIV/AIDS case had been reported in 1990, and the highest incident case had reported in the year 2004 with 461 cases followed by 2005 (343 cases), and 2006(302 cases) respectively. The highest cumulative case had been reported from Mae Fah Luang Hospital (25.8%), followed by Mae Suai hospital (18.8%). 46.0%were Akha, 19.7%were Lahu, and 9.5% were Yao. 38.8%were 31-40 years old, followed by 21-30 years old(33.6%), and 41-50 years old (13.4%). 44.4%were agriculture, 32.0% were employee, and 8.0% were un-specify. 91.6% were infected by sexual intercourse, 5.7%weremother to Child, and 0.5% were IDU. 66.7% were alive, and 65.8% were diagnosed as full born AIDS. 24.0% were receiving ARV, 30.7 were receiving OI treatment, and 9.5% were tested CD4 level. Male had higher of survival rate than female (p-value >0.001), and male were younger than female at the age of infection (p-value >0.001). There was statistically significant difference of mode of infection by tribe ((p-value >0.001). Conclusion: Specific health education programs and empower them for using condom are needed to setting up for HIV/AIDS prevention and control among hill tribe people in Thailand.