A Clinical profile of HIV infection in Mandalay General Hospital (one year study from 16-9-94)

ABSTRACT

It is now recognised that HIV infection is increasing and a major cause for concern in Myanmar. There is no cure for HIV infection and the only hope of controlling the AIDS epidemic have a responsibility to understand the relevant facts about HIV and to act as educators for their patients. A prospective one year study of HIV seropositive patients admitted to medical unit two of Mandalay General Hospital was commenced on September 1994. The objectives of this study was to study the demographic data, the personal history and clinical presentations of these patients so as to enable the health professionals and health educators to understand more about HIV infection in Myanmar. A total of 62, HIV seropositive patients were included in this study. 48 patients (77.4 percent) were diagnosed as AIDS according to the Myanmar diagnostic criteria. The amle female ratio was 9.31, 75.8 percent were in the 21-40 years of age group, 48 percent were single, 48 percent were gave history of travel to Pharkant Town in Kachin State. 77.4 percent were from Mandalay Division. 56.4 percent wre labourers, hawkers and had no fixed work. 59.7 percent were IVDU. 51.6 percent had multiple sex partners. Of the major criteria prolonged fever was present in 82 percent, marked weight loss 74 percent and chronic diarrhoea 38.7 percent. Of the minor criteria, oral thrush was present in 66 percent, lymphadenopathy 40 percent and persistent cough 32 percent. the commonest associated diseases were Koch's lungs 17.7 percent and uncomplicated malaria 16 percent followed by cerebral malaria 9.7 percent and meningitis 8.1 percent. 3.7 percent had cryptococcal meningitis. Mortality was 41.9 percent. The mainstay of prevention continues to be health education campaigns based around the message of safer sex. It is recommended that health education programs be enhanced in Myanmar.