Sero-prevalence of HIV infections among STD clinic attenders at Medical College, Calcutta

Introduction

HIV infection is associated with high morbidity and mortality and there is no curable treatment. In India HIV infection emerged in mid 1980 but there is rapid increase in its incidence and prevalence.[1] Seropositivity in India was estimated to be 1.4 to 14% among patients attending STD clinic,[2] and it has recently been estimated that India has highest number of HIV infected patients.[3] Accumulating evidence suggests that concurrent infections with other sexually transmitted diseases increase the risk of HIV transmission, so there will be greater prevalence of HIV infections in STD clinic attenders.[4],[5]

In view of the sparse literature available on seroprevalence of HIV in STD clinic attenders at Calcutta, need was felt to study seroprevalence of HIV infection in STD clinic offenders at Calcutta Medical College.

Materials and Methods

All the patients attending STD clinic from June 1999 to June 2000 were screened for HIV infections and demographic details were noted for all patients. Blood samples were drawn from 2177 male patients and from 2473 female patients.

Five ml blood was collected from each patient. Serum was separated and stored at 4° C till Elisa was done. Indirect Elisa test was performed according to manufacturer′s instructions. For every assay appropriate control was included.

Serum samples showing initial positivity by initial Elisa or equivocal samples were subjected to second Elisa test. All cases were confirmed by Western blot (Immuno test).

Results

HIV seropositivity was confirmed by Western blot in 40 cases out of 2177 males (1.8%) and 34 cases out of 2473 females (1.3%). Overall seropositivitywas (1.6%). Highest HIV seropositivity (5.2%) was found among young males upto 30 years of age. Among females highest HIV seropositivity was found in 31 - 40 years of age group.

Details of results are shown in [Table - 1] and [Table - 2].

Discussion

Since mid nineties, there is an increasing trend of HIV seropositivity among STD clinic attenders in Calcutta. Earlier reports suggested 1.32% of HIV seropositivity among STD clinic attenders in Calcutta,[6],[7] and recently it is estimated to be 2.3%.[8]

Our study revealed 1.6% HIV seropositivity. Among male attenders most people having HIV seropositivity belonged to lower middle class. Four patients were immigrants from Bombay, most of them frequently visited brothel. Among female attenders most of them having seropositivity, were house wives. Three patients were sex workers by profession. Two patients had multiple sex partners and one male had homosexual relationship.

From above study we conclude that there is a steady increase in prevalence rate of HIV seropositivity among STD clinic attenders.