ABSTRACT
To identify services available to HIV / AIDS patients in two tertiary care hospitals of Peshawar. Descriptive observational survey. Khyber teaching hospital [KHT] and Postgraduate Medical Institute, Hayatabad Medical Complex Peshawar [PGMI, HMC]. September 2005 to February 2006. A questionnaire was designed in accordance with the objectives of the study. Questionnaire contained information about the medical services available to HIV/AIDS patients, clinic pathological aspects of the disease, risk behaviors, preventive and precautionary measures, diagnosis and treatment of HIV/AIDS. A total of 100 medical faculty were selected, 64 from KHT and 36 from HMC. Voluntary counseling and testing [VCT] is available in these centers [76%]. Preliminary tests for HIV testing were done on site [70%]. Pre and post-test counseling [68%] and space to ensure privacy [60%] were available. No confidentiality testing, trained counselors and quality control for HIV testing were recorded. Services for special and vulnerable groups were available only for pregnant women [90%]. Distribution of laboratory tests or medical procedures that are part of the routine HIV-treatment follow-up were: complete blood count [100%], liver function tests, Hbs Ag, and HCV antibodies [100%], syphilis serology [68%], toxoplasmosis serology [38%] and MTb culture [65%] etc. No facilities for CD4 cell count, viral load testing; cryptococcal Ag, anergy testing and PAP smear were available. Drugs used for treatment of opportunistic infections associated with HIV / AIDS were available [74%]. Drugs used for treatment of malignancies associated with HIV/AIDS were available on site/city [56%]. Antiretroviral therapy availability [on order only] were nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitors [NRTI] [n: 16%] and protease inhibitors [n: 4%]. Medical services available in two tertiary care centers of Peshawar are not satisfactory. There is need for further action, more collaboration, leadership, community involvement, UN assistance and government support to improve the quality of life of people living with HIV / AIDS