Abstract

*Dr. Faizan Ahmad, Dr. Amna Asad and 3Imran Ali

ABSTRACT

Back ground and objectives: HIV prevalence and incidence is documented in Pakistan as per WHO and annually updated but there is no specific record available on prevalence and incidence in Sheikhupura and surrounding reign which includes Gujranwala, Nankana sahib and Hafizabad Districts. So we thought of estimating the patient burden and incidence. We also proposed risk factor profile to assess sources of HIV among these patients. Methods: We designed a cross sectional study and taken retrospective data for patients who presented to and found HIV positive on rapids diagnostic tests screening with SD bioline, Alere detemine, and UniGold screening kits followed by confirmation of HIV viral load on quantitative PCR. Data was collected in PACP (Punjab AIDS control program) center, DHQ hospital Sheikhupura between 1st April 2017 to 30th June 2018. Patients were selected by consecutive sampling. Results: There were 371 patients who were tested for HIV in this period and 102 were found positive. There were 88 males and 13 females and 01 transgender. Risk factors were IDU in 55 patients, sexual in 17, blood transfusion and contaminated needles in 02 each and unknown in 26. Average incidence rate was 6.25 per month in initial eight months which increased to 6.50 per month in next eight months. Conclusion: HIV, in Sheikhupura reign, is male predominant disease. Incidence and prevalence is increasing gradually. Most common mode of transmission is IDU followed by unknown and sexual. A large number of patients had unknown source. This indicates need for stopping IDU, sharing needles and risky behaviors should be avoided and safe sex practices should be promoted. Furthermore, we need to look out of the box to find out other modes of transmission.