Missed opportunities for earlier HIV-testing in patients with HIV infection referred to a tertiary hospital, a cross-sectional study
The Medical Journal of Malaysia
; : 209-214, 2017.
Article
em En
| WPRIM
| ID: wpr-631013
Biblioteca responsável:
WPRO
ABSTRACT
Introduction: In Malaysia, the prevalence of missed opportunities for HIV-testing is unknown. Missed opportunities have been linked to late diagnosis of HIV and poorer outcome for patients. We describe missed opportunities for earlier HIV-testing in newly-HIV-diagnosed patients. Methods: Cross sectional study. Adult patients diagnosed with HIV infection and had at least one medical encounter in a primary healthcare setting during three years prior to diagnosis were included. We collected data on sociodemographic characteristics, patient characteristics at diagnosis, HIV-related conditions and whether they were subjected to risk assessment and offered HIV testing during the three years prior to HIV diagnosis. Results: 65 newly HIV-diagnosed patients (male: 92.3%; Malays: 52.4%; single: 66.7%; heterosexual: 41%; homosexual 24.6%; CD4 <350 at diagnosis: 63%). 93.8% were unaware of their HIV status at diagnosis. Up to 56.9% had presented with HIV-related conditions at a primary healthcare facility during the three years prior to diagnosis. Slightly more than half were had risk assessment done and only 33.8% were offered HIV-testing. Conclusions: Missed opportunities for HIV-testing was unacceptably high with insufficient risk assessment and offering of HIV-testing. Risk assessment must be promoted and primary care physicians must be trained to recognize HIV-related conditions that will prompt them to offer HIVtesting.
Texto completo:
1
Índice:
WPRIM
Tipo de estudo:
Observational_studies
/
Prevalence_studies
/
Risk_factors_studies
Idioma:
En
Revista:
The Medical Journal of Malaysia
Ano de publicação:
2017
Tipo de documento:
Article