Sociodemographic profile of HIV patients at a tertiary care hospital in Goa, India

Abstract

Background: Despite the improved access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), India accounts for the third largest cases of HIV in the world. Nearly 86% of reported cases are occurring in sexually active and economically productive age group (15-44 years). The current study was conducted to study the socio demographic profile of newly diagnosed HIV patients attending ART centre at Goa Medical College in Goa.Methods: A hospital based observational retrospective study was carried out in the department of Medicine of Goa Medical College in collaboration with ART centre from October 2015 to January 2016. Patient’s relevant data about the infection was collected from their treatment record card at the ART centre using preformed questionnaire.Results: In the present study out of 211 patients, male patients 112 (53.08%) outnumbered female patients 99 (46.92%). 80.56% of the study group were in the age group of 20-39 years. Although the total number of male HIV positive patients was more, there was also significant increase in the female group. The most common route of transmission was found to be heterosexual (78.67%) followed by blood transfusion route (2.3%). With regard to the level of education, 25%, 69% and 12% of patients had education up to primary, secondary and college level respectively.Conclusions: Rising number of HIV patients in small state of Goa is alarming and they are likely to contribute to spread of the disease due to rise in migrant population. Better awareness of the disease especially among migrants is utmost necessary to prevent increased number of young population from getting infected. Increasing number of female infected patients warrants us to educate housewives regarding safe sexual practices and contraception in preventing the spread of the disease.