SOCIO-DEMOGRAPHIC PROFILE AND RISK BEHAVIOUR PATTERN IN HIV POSITIVE POPULATION ATTENDING THE INTEGRATED COUNSELLING AND TESTING CENTRE OF A MEDICAL COLLEGE HOSPITAL, BENGALURU

BACKGROUND: HIV infection is growing very fast in India. HIV/AIDS epidemic has devastated many individuals, families and communities. ICTC services have begun as a cost effective intervention in identifying these epidemics. OBJECTIVES: To identify the socio- demographic profiles and risk behavior in HIV positive subjects. STUDY DESIGN: Cross sectional observational study. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The study was conducted among the attendees who tested positive for HIV in the ICTC center of Kempegowda institute of medical sciences and research center, Bengaluru, from February 2013 to January 2014. RESULTS: The study included 276 (6.9%) HIV positive subjects among 3958 attendees. 58.3% were males, 40.9% were females and 0.7% was transgender. About 86.1% of HIV positives belonged to age group of 20- 49 years. 81.9% of males and 76.9% of females were married. Only 21.8% of HIV positives were from rural areas. 61.4% of males and 50.3% of females were educated. Among males 20.4% were involved in unskilled work followed by 18.6% in business and 14.9% in driving. Whereas, 75.2% were female were housewives. Heterosexual contact was the major route of HIV transmission. CONCLUSION: HIV positive patients have started using ICTC services which reflects a change in their attitude towards HIV. Increased HIV prevalence among the females, indicate that the present interventions must be strengthened to control HIV prevalence with a special focus on females.