Trends in HIV seropositivity in Nairobi : prevalence rates in males and females over a two-year period

ABSTRACT

The Virus Research Centre is a WHO designated reference centre for AIDS. It is also a primary HIV testing centre for 37 medical and associated institutions in and around Nairobi. Between January 1989 and December 1990; 12;126 serum samples were referred to the centre for testing. The samples were controlled for sex; age and clinical signs using a standard form sent to all requesting instituions. The total prevalence in 1989 was 23.9 but rose to 30.8 in 1990. The prevalence rate in females was significantly higher than in males Pis equal to 0.001; (27.5 versus 22.07 in 1989 and 37.9 versus 29.1 in 1990). There were two peaks in the age group versus total number infected; the below 5's and the 26-30 year age group. Significant variations in infection were observed between the sexes at the 16-30 years age group. Clinically; among the HIV seropositive; weight loss was the most common reported sign (32.3) followed by diarrhoea (26.6). However; herpes zooster remained the most sensitive (76.8)