Seroprevalence of hiv among ictc attendees at patna medical college and hospital - a tertiary care hospital in Patna, Bihar

Background: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) has emerged as one of the most serious public health problem in our country. Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) counselling and testing (HCT) conducted at Integrated Counselling and Testing Centres (ICTCs) is a cost-effective intervention in preventing transmission of HIV. Therefore, this study was conducted to find out the socio-demographic profiles, HIV status and risk behaviour pattern of attendees and also to elucidate the reason for their visit to ICTC. Objectives: To study the prevalence of HIV among ICTC attendees and also to know the socio-demographic characteristics and risk behaviours of HIV-seropositive patients. Materials and Methods: A data based retrospective cross-sectional study was carried out at ICTC of PMCH Patna, Bihar over a period from January 2017 to June 2018. A total of 11,203 patients were included in our study. Results: Of 11203 patients that were included in this study, 1581 (14.12 %) were tested positive for HIV. Among HIV seropositives, 1036 (65.53%) were males, while 542 (34.28%) were females and 3 (0.05%) were transgender. Majority 87% belonged to the age group between 15-49 years. In discordant couples, majority (81%) were male partner positive and female partner negative. Positives were more amongst married, less educated, low socioeconomic status and migrants. Conclusion: There is need to encourage activities that promote HCT in all health care facilities, so as to increase the rate of diagnosis of new HIV cases. The data generated in ICTC will help us to understand cases, pertaining to the epidemiology in a defined geographic region.