<p><strong>Background: </strong>The natural history of HIV infection in early disease is not affected by pregnancy. In later stages there may be rapid disease progression leading to adverse pregnancy outcomes. Prevalence of HIV in India is 0.3% in pregnant women. With the advent of PPTCT, there have been a decline in the adverse pregnancy outcomes but still few adversities are reported. Aim of the study was to assess the various pregnancy outcomes in HIV positive women and the effects of antiretroviral therapy (ART).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective analytical study conducted from July 2017-June 2019 on HIV infected pregnant women. Their maternal age, CD4 count at diagnosis of HIV, after postpartum, mode of delivery, birth weight and HIV status of baby were noted and analyzed. <strong></strong></p><p><strong>Results: </strong>18 HIV infected pregnant women were included. Their mean age was 25.6 years. 12 patients were in 2<sup>nd</sup> trimester and the rest in 1<sup>st</sup> trimester. All were on triple-drug (TEL) regimen. Three were diagnosed with HIV prior to conception and were already on ART. Remaining were detected at the time of ANC visit. All cases fall under stage I WHO clinical staging. Out of the 18 pregnant, two delivered by LSCS and the rest by normal delivery. All were term deliveries, with mean birth weight of 2.82 kg. One HIV infected baby was born by LSCS. The mean CD4 count at the time of diagnosis of HIV was 389 and at postpartum was 508. Overall, there was seen to be an increase in CD4 count without any adverse effects during ART.<strong></strong></p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Prompt HIV diagnosis and ART initiation during antenatal period can have good pregnancy outcome and thereby reducing transmission to children.</p>
<p><strong>Background:</strong> Stigma about STDs (sexually transmitted diseases) may influence an individual’s decision to disclose information about his/her sexual behaviour to health care practitioners as well as to their sex partners. This leads to a continued transmission of sexually transmitted infections (STI) and greater probability of adverse sequelae. Thus, care seeking interval may be regarded as an indirect measure of stigma associated with STI. The aim of this study is to assess healthcare-seeking behaviour of patients and the factors associated with its delay.</p><p><strong>Methods:</strong> This was a cross-sectional study conducted over a period of 1 year in STD OP of Government Stanley medical college, Chennai which included all symptomatic STD Patients who came to OP. The data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire. The statistical package SPSS (version 16) was used for analysis.</p><p><strong>Results:</strong> The study included 492 males and 517 females who presented with STD related symptoms. Nearly 54% of patients sought care after 7 days of onset of symptoms. In that 52% of patients reported their delay to be due to fear of disclosure about their symptoms, 19% had self treatment, 12% of them expected spontaneous resolution, 8% had lack of awareness about their symptoms and the remaining 9% reported various other causes.</p><p><strong>Conclusions:</strong> Fear of stigmatisation has a positive association with increased care seeking interval in STDs. Addressing concerns about stigma and educating the public about timely heath care could help reduce the complications of STDs among high risk adult population thereby improving the quality of patient’s life.</p>
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