Profile of the patients attending in ICTC, RIMS, Ranchi

A Recent Profile of HIV-Positive Patients Attending an Integrated Testing and Counseling Centre (ICTC) at a Tertiary Care Center in Bangalore, India

“…Consistent with previous studies, Dinesh et al (2015) found 55.8% of males and 44.94% of females affected [10], while Chellaiyan et al (2014) found a gender distribution of 68% of males and 32% of females [11]. Our study also found a higher percentage (1.30%) of HIV cases among males compared to females (0.30%), which is in line with other studies conducted in India [9,10,12]. According to the India HIV Estimations 2017 technical report, the estimated prevalence of HIV in India is 0.22% (0.16%-0.30%), with a higher prevalence in males at 0.25% (0.18-0.34) and lower in females at 0.19% (0.14-0.25).…”

“…These efforts have encouraged more clients to undergo HIV testing and have facilitated earlier diagnosis and management of HIV [6]. Previous studies by Bansal et al in Haryana (28%) [7], Mathur et al in Jaipur (12.35%) [8], and Kiran in Ranchi (6.9%) [9] have reported a higher seroprevalence rate than the present study. However, other studies have reported a lower prevalence rate (0.36%) [10].…”

“…This could be due to their frequent absence from home, which increases their likelihood of engaging in extramarital sexual activities, leading to a higher risk of contracting and spreading HIV. This prone their spouses at home at risk of infection and can contribute to the virus's rapid spread [3]. The most common mode of HIV transmission observed in our study was through unprotected heterosexual contact (97.4%).…”

“…For females, the highest seropositivity was seen among housewives (16) (69.5%). Similar studies showed maximum seropositivity among truck drivers who often remain out of their homes and indulge in sexual activities with partners other than their spouses [3,4]. This could be due to their frequent absence from home, which increases their likelihood of engaging in extramarital sexual activities, leading to a higher risk of contracting and spreading HIV.…”

“…The Integrated Counseling and Testing Centre (ICTC) is a gateway to care and support services for individuals seeking HIV-related care. It provides a safe and discreet environment for people to learn and accept HIV serostatus confidentially [3]. The data collected in this study from the patients who visited the ICTC at a tertiary care teaching hospital in Bangalore, Karnataka, can offer valuable insights into the epidemiological profile of HIVpositive individuals.…”