Cross sectional survey of HIV prevalence amongest Medical admissions to The University Teaching Hospital

Abstract

The study was conducted in the University Teaching Hospital Lusaka, Zambia from may 2003 to July 2003. It was conducted In the medical admission ward (Phase V) of the hospital. In this cross sectional survey, over 100 patients were recruited by study staff and interviewed. Consent was obtained from patients and then demographic details were obtained from the patient records. Depending on their response patient, were then referred for counseling and testing for HIV. The age, sex, presenting symptoms and clinical diagnosis were obtained from patient records. The patients were then questioned on language spoken, literacy and educational levels were assessed. The HIV seroprevalence level In the medical admission ward of UTH was determined to be 62.7%. This Is higher than the previously seen levels from a study conducted in 1985 by Melbye. Sex was not found to be significant in relation to HIV seroprevalence level and neither was age and the highest seroprevalence level was in the 30 to 34 year old age group. This is contrast to the previous study by Melbye, which found a higher seroprevalence In men as compared to women. VCT is well received by the patients as seen by the numbers of patients accepting VCT, which was all apart from one patient who accepted counseling but not testing. Many patients did not receive post-test counseling or their HIV test results, 46 as compared to 56. The HIV seroprevalence level In the medical admission ward of UTH determined to be 62.7% is higher than the previously seen levels from a study conducted in 1985 by Melbye. VCT is well received by patients however there needs to be an Improvement In post-test counseling to enable more patients to receive their HIV test results.