ABSTRACT
Background: Improved longevity of people living with HIV on highly active antiretroviral therapy and accelerated aging processes are considered contributory to Metabolic Syndrome. Objectives: The current study investigated metabolic syndrome (MetS) in people living with HIV (PLH) who were receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) under the ongoing National AIDS Control Program. Methods: Clinic attendees(n = 3088) who were on ART for more than 6 months constituted the sampling frame, from which 378 study participants were randomly drawn and included in the analysis following the eligibility check. One hundred and fifty‑nine clinic attendees, initiated on ART in ≤6 months, provided an opportunity to estimate the prevalence of MetS in them. Sixty‑two PLH from this smaller group were enrolled. Results: MetS was found among 19% (73/378; 95% confidence interval [CI] 15.5%–23.7%) PLH who were on ART >6 months compared with 24% (15/62; 95% CI 14.2%–36.7%) in those who were on ART for ≤6 months based on harmonization criteria for the Asian population; the confidence intervals overlapped and apparently observed difference was not statistically significant. Adjusted for age, body mass index (BMI), protease inhibitor (PI)‑based ART regimen, duration of ART, insulin resistance (IR), reported family history of hypertension and residential setting, factors independently associated with MetS were PI containing ART regimen, IR, duration of ART intake and BMI. In the adjusted model, the odds of MetS were three times higher among PLH on PI containing ART regimen (95% CI of adjusted odds ratio; aOR 1.27–8.51) and those having IR (95% CI of aOR 1.48–5.07). The odds of MetS among PLH with BMI ≥23 kg/m2 was 4 (95% CI of aOR 2.08–6.81) times higher than those with lower BMI. Conclusions: MetS in PLH requires the attention of health‑care workers in India. Appropriate screening would help initiate early management.
ABSTRACT
A community-based, descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in Purushottampur village of the Singur block, Hooghly, using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire, to find out the prevalence of RTI / STI symptomatics among the general population aged 15 to 49 years, and to assess their profiles and health-seeking behaviors. Prevalence of (Reproductive tract infection) RTI / STI (Sexually transmitted infections) symptoms in the last 12 months was found to be 13.9 and 13.6% among males and females, respectively. The most common symptom was dysuria and vaginal discharge among males and females, respectively. Almost half of the STI symptomatics (52% male, 50% female) did nothing for their symptoms. Better health-seeking behavior was observed among females. About 9.4% of the males and 47% of the females sought advice from the clinic / hospital / health workers. Strengthening of activities of the existing national program among the general population is needed to build a positive health-seeking behavior that will ensure success of the syndromic management of RTI / STI.