Health Care Maintenance of HIV Infected Women at a Tertiary Care Center

Abstract

Introduction: HIV care should change from HIV focused approach to one which addresses chronic diseases, counseling, screening of non-AIDS related malignancies and immunization. Our objectives are to review standard of health maintenance services (screening, counselling and immunization) among HIV infected women and to find the prevalence of co-morbid conditions. Methodology: Retrospective cohort study to review HIV infected women in HIV clinic at King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia (KFSH&RC) from January 2008 to December 2012. Results: Among 103 HIV infected women, dyslipidemia accounts for 31.07%, hypertension 16.5%, diabetes mellitus 14.6%, patients who have more than two co-morbid conditions were 24.5%. Vitamin D level was requested for 93.20%. HIV viral load wasn’t detectable in 63.11% and antiretroviral therapy was prescribed for 99.02%. The median latest CD4 lymphocyte count was 725 cells/ µmol. Tuberculin screening test (TST) was done for 5.88%. Screening mammography and Pap smear were done for 37.25%, 13.73% respectively. Colorectal cancer screening was not done in 96.11%. Bone densitometry screening was done for 36.36%. Mental status evaluation was performed for 63.73%. Influenza, pneumococcal, hepatitis B virus and Human Papilloma Virus (HPV) vaccination were received by 93.20%, 49.51%, 17.47% and 1.94% respectively. Counseling for condom use was provided to 64.79% and hormonal contraception/obstetrics referral were done for 49.02%. Conclusion: Our HIV clinic is providing a standard HIV focused patient care. Screening for tuberculosis, malignancies, counseling for hormonal contraception and immunization were deficient. There is high prevalence of cardiovascular risk factors among our patients. There is an urgent need to improve delivery of preventive health care to HIV-infected women.