Main Article Content
Demographic characteristics of HIV/AIDS patients at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital (UNTH), Enugu
Abstract
Aim: To determine the demographic characteristics of people living with HIV/AIDs attending the UNTH treatment center.
Patients and Methods: All patients who assess Antiretroviral treatment at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital between February 2002 and July 2004 were included. Demographic characteristics such as age, gender, occupation, marital status, number of spouses, past history of STIs, and blood transfusion were obtained from the patients. Sexual preferences including dalliances with commercial sex workers and whether or not they had shared information on their HIV status with others were inquired from them at registration for therapy.
Results: The result showed that the commonest route of transmission remains heterosexual contact, but the infection appears to be more common among married couples. People living with HIV/AIDS are more likely to divulge information about their status when they need support of relatives. Condom use is still abhorred.
Conclusion: HIV/AIDS appears to have permeated the entire population and can no longer be viewed as a disease of any particular section of the society. Education on preventive measures to reduce the scourge of HIV/AIDs should form greater part of Government's effort to contain the infection.
Keywords: demographic characteristics, HIV/AIDS, UNTH Enugu
Journal of College of Medicine Vol. 10(2) 2005: 79-81
Patients and Methods: All patients who assess Antiretroviral treatment at the University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital between February 2002 and July 2004 were included. Demographic characteristics such as age, gender, occupation, marital status, number of spouses, past history of STIs, and blood transfusion were obtained from the patients. Sexual preferences including dalliances with commercial sex workers and whether or not they had shared information on their HIV status with others were inquired from them at registration for therapy.
Results: The result showed that the commonest route of transmission remains heterosexual contact, but the infection appears to be more common among married couples. People living with HIV/AIDS are more likely to divulge information about their status when they need support of relatives. Condom use is still abhorred.
Conclusion: HIV/AIDS appears to have permeated the entire population and can no longer be viewed as a disease of any particular section of the society. Education on preventive measures to reduce the scourge of HIV/AIDs should form greater part of Government's effort to contain the infection.
Keywords: demographic characteristics, HIV/AIDS, UNTH Enugu
Journal of College of Medicine Vol. 10(2) 2005: 79-81
