Abstract
Objective: The purpose of this study is to estimate the prevalence of HIV infection among the clients attending ICTC, LHMC of New Delhi, for a period of five years, i.e., from 2008 to 2012. Material & Method: A total of 25,413 clients attended ICTC, LHMC from the year 2008 to 2012. Serum samples were collected after taking informed consent and pre-test counseling. In India for all ICTCs, NACO (National AIDS Control Organization), a national guidelines has been followed for HIV testing, reporting and release of results with post test counseling. Results: Out of the total 25,413 clients tested for HIV infection, 963 (3.78%) were found to be HIV-1 seropositive. Seropositivity was higher in male clients i.e. 625 (64.4%) than female i.e. 336 (34.8%) followed by transgender (TG), i.e., 2 (0.2%). Heterosexual route of transmission was the major route seen in 676 clients (70.1%). Maximum HIV seropositivity was in the age group of 25 - 34 years (35.4%). No HIV-2 case was found among the studied population. Conclusion: HIV prevalence of 3.78% among the clients attending ICTC, LHMC, New Delhi, puts light on the burden on HIV in this part of the country and suggests the need for the scaling up of focused prevention efforts in high-risk groups.
Highlights
Though India got the first case of HIV much later than in other parts of the world, in the present scenario HIV has emerged as a public health problem with enormous social and economic implications
Maximum number of seropositivity was found in male clients (64.4%), followed by 34.8% in female clients and 0.2% in transgender
HIV prevalence in general population is 0.25% [8], high seroprevalence in this area is because more clients in this ICTC are from High-Risk Groups (HRG) like NGO’s, MSM’s, and Transgender
Summary
Though India got the first case of HIV much later than in other parts of the world, in the present scenario HIV has emerged as a public health problem with enormous social and economic implications. The main risk behaviors and practices associated with a higher risk of HIV transmission in India include unprotected sexual inter*. Heterosexual route is the most common route of transmission in India which is associated with the factors like presence of untreated ulcerative sexually transmitted infections, irregular use of condoms, frequency of sexual contact, and age at sexual initiation. HIV is an infection which many people have fears, prejudices or negative attitudes about. Stigma can result in people with HIV being insulted, rejected, gossiped about and excluded from social activities [1]
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