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PREVALENCE AND CLINICAL PRESENTATION OF HIV INFECTION AMONG NEWLY HOSPITALISED SURGICAL PATIENTS AT MUHIMBILI NATIONAL HOSPITAL, DAR ES SALAAM, TANZANIA
Abstract
ABSTRACT
Background: In Tanzania information is lacking on the prevalence of HIV infection in
surgical patients in tertiary care facilities, in whom there are many points of special
interest.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of HIV infection and associated clinical and
demographic features among hospitalised surgical patients at Muhimbili National
Hospital (MNH).
Setting: Muhimbili National Hospital.
Materials and Methods: Consecutive newly admitted patients were tested for HIV
antibodies after pre-test counselling. Sera were tested using a dual ELISA algorithm.
The data were analysed to determine the prevalence of HIV infection and relationships
of serostatus with clinical and socio-demographic characteristics.
Results: Of 1,534 patients admitted during the study, 1,031(67.2%) consented to HIV
testing following pre-test counselling. The prevalence of AlDS-related clinical features
in patients who declined to be HIV tested was similar to that of seronegative patients,
but significantly lower than that of seropositive patients. The overall age-adjusted HIV
prevalence was 10.5% (95% Cl=9.9-14.0). The highest age-specific HIV prevalence was
in the age group 35-44 years at 27.9%. No one was infected in the age group 0-4 years
(n=111). Differences in prevalence between age groups were statistically significant
(p<0.0001). Patients with granulomatous and suppurative infections had HIV prevalence
of 28.3%. Twenty of 124 seropositive patients (16.1%) died in hospital compared to
58 of 907(6.4%) of seronegative patients (p=0.0001).
Conclusion: At Muhumbili National Hospital overall HIV prevalence in hospitalised
surgical patients were 10.5%, compared to an overall national prevalence of 6.7%.
Patients in the age groups 25 to 34 and 35 to 44 years had HIV seroprevalence of
26.8% and 27.9% respectively. Patients with infective conditions had the highest HIV
prevalence. HIV seropositive patients were associated with higher hospital mortality than
seronegative patients.
Background: In Tanzania information is lacking on the prevalence of HIV infection in
surgical patients in tertiary care facilities, in whom there are many points of special
interest.
Objective: To determine the prevalence of HIV infection and associated clinical and
demographic features among hospitalised surgical patients at Muhimbili National
Hospital (MNH).
Setting: Muhimbili National Hospital.
Materials and Methods: Consecutive newly admitted patients were tested for HIV
antibodies after pre-test counselling. Sera were tested using a dual ELISA algorithm.
The data were analysed to determine the prevalence of HIV infection and relationships
of serostatus with clinical and socio-demographic characteristics.
Results: Of 1,534 patients admitted during the study, 1,031(67.2%) consented to HIV
testing following pre-test counselling. The prevalence of AlDS-related clinical features
in patients who declined to be HIV tested was similar to that of seronegative patients,
but significantly lower than that of seropositive patients. The overall age-adjusted HIV
prevalence was 10.5% (95% Cl=9.9-14.0). The highest age-specific HIV prevalence was
in the age group 35-44 years at 27.9%. No one was infected in the age group 0-4 years
(n=111). Differences in prevalence between age groups were statistically significant
(p<0.0001). Patients with granulomatous and suppurative infections had HIV prevalence
of 28.3%. Twenty of 124 seropositive patients (16.1%) died in hospital compared to
58 of 907(6.4%) of seronegative patients (p=0.0001).
Conclusion: At Muhumbili National Hospital overall HIV prevalence in hospitalised
surgical patients were 10.5%, compared to an overall national prevalence of 6.7%.
Patients in the age groups 25 to 34 and 35 to 44 years had HIV seroprevalence of
26.8% and 27.9% respectively. Patients with infective conditions had the highest HIV
prevalence. HIV seropositive patients were associated with higher hospital mortality than
seronegative patients.
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