English

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Tuberculosis and HIV infection together form a very grave public health hazard. Detection of HIV infection among TB patients offers the opportunity to deliver prompt HIV care, such as cotrimoxazole prophylaxis and antiretroviral treatment, which can reduce suffering and death. AIM: To know the sociodemograhic profile and prevalence of HIV among in newly diagnosed, untreated TB patients at tertiary care hospital in a rural area. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This prospective study was carried at the RNTCP center and ICTC center at tertiary care hospital, of Bangalore rural area, South India from March 2009 to February 2012.A total of 605 TB patients were studied. Diagnosis of TB was made as per RNTCP guidelines. HIV was screened as per NACO guidelines. Data were analyzed using Microsoft excel software. RESULTS: This study showed 28/605(4.62%) prevalence of HIV among TB patients. Higher prevalence was seen in males and in 21-40 age group. Pulmonary TB is the most common type of TB in HIV/TB patients. Treatment success rate in HIV positive patients was 18(64.28%) and 285(84.05%) in HIV negative patients. Higher mortality rate 4(14.28%) was observed in HIV positives TB patients compared to 34(5.89%) HIV negative TB patients. Failure rate was also high 1(3.57%) in HIV positive TB patients. CONCLUSION: There is a need for the RNTCP and NACO to collaborate on feasibility of making HIV counseling and testing routinely available to all DOTS and other TB patients throughout India.