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HIV INFECTlON IN ELDERLY MEDICAL PATIENTS
Abstract
Objective: To determine the prevalence and presentation of HIV-infection among medical
admissions aged 55 years and above.
Design: Prospective cross-sectional study.
Setting: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Subjects: Consecutive patients aged 55 years and above hospitalisled in the medical wards of
the Muhimbili Medical Centre in Dares Salaam from February to May 1998.
Results: The overall HIV-1 seroprevalence was 15.0% (381253); and by sex it was 18.5% (281
151) among males compared toO.8% (10/102) among females (p=0.06). The HIV-1 prevalence
among those aged 55 to 59 years was 29.7%. There was no association betwcen HIV- 1
serostatus and whether one lived in a rural or urban area, marital status, level of education
nor socio-economic status. The main presenting features in patients who were found to be
HIV-I seropositive were wasting 44.7%, fever 39.5 %, pallor 34.2% and weight loss 31.6%.
Only six ( 15.8%) of the 38 patients were initially suspected to havc been HIV-infected before
laboratory results were obtained.
Conclusions: HIV-infection is it notable problem in the popu1:ation of elderly medical
admissions in Dar es Salaam. The possibility of HIV-infection should be considered among
elderly patients with clinical features of immunodeficiency. HIV/AIDS prevention
programmes directed towards the elderly should be established.
admissions aged 55 years and above.
Design: Prospective cross-sectional study.
Setting: Dar es Salaam, Tanzania.
Subjects: Consecutive patients aged 55 years and above hospitalisled in the medical wards of
the Muhimbili Medical Centre in Dares Salaam from February to May 1998.
Results: The overall HIV-1 seroprevalence was 15.0% (381253); and by sex it was 18.5% (281
151) among males compared toO.8% (10/102) among females (p=0.06). The HIV-1 prevalence
among those aged 55 to 59 years was 29.7%. There was no association betwcen HIV- 1
serostatus and whether one lived in a rural or urban area, marital status, level of education
nor socio-economic status. The main presenting features in patients who were found to be
HIV-I seropositive were wasting 44.7%, fever 39.5 %, pallor 34.2% and weight loss 31.6%.
Only six ( 15.8%) of the 38 patients were initially suspected to havc been HIV-infected before
laboratory results were obtained.
Conclusions: HIV-infection is it notable problem in the popu1:ation of elderly medical
admissions in Dar es Salaam. The possibility of HIV-infection should be considered among
elderly patients with clinical features of immunodeficiency. HIV/AIDS prevention
programmes directed towards the elderly should be established.
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