Prevalence of Human Immunodeficiency Virus Seropositivity among Eye Surgical Patients at a Rural Eye Care Facility in South-Eastern Nigeria

ABSTRACT

Purpose: To determine the prevalence of human immunodeficiency infection among patients who underwent surgery at a rural eye care facility in southeastern Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A retrospective chart review was performed for all patients who had undergone surgery and a pre-operative Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) test; between August 2008 and July 2009 at the Eye unit of the Presbyterian Joint Hospital; Ohaozara; Ebonyi State; Nigeria. Data were analyzed for age; sex; type of surgery and HIV status. Frequency; percentage and 95confidence intervals (CI) were calculated with univariate analysis and the parametric method. Results: A total of 380 cases were reviewed comprised of 228 males and 152 females (MF= 1.51).The mean age of the cohort is 56 years (range; 4 years to 91 years). Fourteen patients (3.7; 95confidence interval 1.8 - 5.6) were HIV positive. Conclusion: A high HIV sero-prevalence was reported in our study. Infection-control precautionary measures are indicated to minimize risk of HIV transmission to ophthalmic surgeons and allied health-workers