HIV Antibody Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Sex Workers, Drug Users, and Prisoners in Sindh, Pakistan

Baqi, Shehla; Nabi, Naheed; Hasan, Syed Neyaz; Khan, Amir; Pasha, Omrana; Kayani, Naila; Haque, Rehan; Haq, Inaam Ul; Khurshid, Mohammad; Fisher‐Hoch, Susan P.; Luby, Stephen P.; McCormick, Joseph B.

doi:10.1097/00042560-199805010-00011

Cited by 47 publications

(44 citation statements)

References 33 publications

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“…11 Up to June 2003, deported Pakistanis from Gulf countries constituted the single largest group identified with HIV infection, whereas prevalence in high-risk groups was low in Pakistan. [12][13][14] However, recent surveillance reports indicate that the epidemic is now being established among high-risk groups, with infection rates among injecting drug users (IDU), transvestite/transsexual sex workers and men having sex with men steadily rising. 10 The aims of this study were (i) to provide a description of adult HIV-infected patients started on ART since it became available free of cost via the SACP in Karachi and (ii) to evaluate their management, adherence to treatment, retention in the programme and outcomes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Four years of experience with antiretroviral therapy in adult patients in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

Baqi¹,

Abro²,

Salahuddin

et al. 2012

International Health

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The Sindh AIDS Control Program (SACP) in Pakistan began dispensing combination antiretroviral therapy (ART) in May 2006 in Karachi. This study aimed to assess the management and outcomes of ART-treated patients. Data were extracted from medical records of adult patients registered with the SACP who received ART between May 2006 and May 2010. In total, 300 patients received ART, of whom 77.7% were men. The median CD4 cell count at the time of joining the SACP was 130 cells/mm(3). ART was nevirapine-based in 69.1% of cases and was correctly prescribed in 97.3%. Of 257 patients who received ≥1 month of ART, >90% were regular with their medications and appointments. Of the 300 patients, 70 (23.3%) had HIV-related deaths and 4 (1.3%) had non-HIV-related deaths, whereas 32 (10.7%) transferred out and 16 (5.3%) stopped attending the clinic and could not be traced. Estimated survival in the first 6 months stratified by initial CD4 lymphocyte count ≥50 cells/mm(3) and <50 cells/mm(3) was 85.8% (95% CI 80.8-90.0%) and 52.2% (95% CI 40.9-63.1%), respectively. Viral suppression was achieved in 95.4% of those who survived beyond 3 months of starting ART. ART can be managed adequately with excellent patient adherence and satisfactory clinical outcomes in a resource-limited setting.

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Four years of experience with antiretroviral therapy in adult patients in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

Baqi¹,

Abro²,

Salahuddin

et al. 2012

International Health

Self Cite

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“…While the prevalence of HIV is still low in Pakistan, its geographic proximity to India, a country experiencing a severe HIV/AIDS epidemic, and several prevalent lifestyle risk factors make Pakistan a high-risk location for the diffusion of HIV 2 . HIV risk factors in Pakistan include internal and external migration, commercial sex work, failure to use condoms, male-to-male sex, and re-use of contaminated needles, particularly in the informal health-care sector 2,3 . Judging from surveillance data, sex is the predominant mode of transmission and most reported HIV cases to date are among men 3 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…HIV risk factors in Pakistan include internal and external migration, commercial sex work, failure to use condoms, male-to-male sex, and re-use of contaminated needles, particularly in the informal health-care sector 2,3 . Judging from surveillance data, sex is the predominant mode of transmission and most reported HIV cases to date are among men 3 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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HIV-Infected Workers Deported from the Gulf States: Impact on Southern Pakistan

Shah¹,

Khan

Kristensen

et al. 1999

Int J STD AIDS

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HIV prevalence is still very low in Pakistan, but its south Asian location and subgroups with recognized lifestyle risk factors suggest that Pakistan will experience expanded diffusion of HIV. We report the frequency of HIV infections identified by the AIDS Control Programme on the Sindh province of Pakistan. Most HIV-positive cases currently reported to the Sindh AIDS Control Programme are found among Pakistani workers deported from the Gulf States and among foreigners. The 58 returned workers with HIV represent 61 to 86% of reported cases in any given year during the 1996-1998 period. Five wives of returning workers have been identified with HIV. Expatriate workers in the Gulf States are tested for HIV routinely, unlike other subgroups in Pakistan. Considering the risk of HIV/AIDS due to regular introduction of HIV from returned workers, and the limited awareness surrounding sexual health and HIV/STD transmission issues in Pakistan, intervention programmes targeted at overseas workers need to be implemented to control the expansion of the HIV epidemic in Pakistan.

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“…It is worth noting that approximately 12% of CSWs from Bangladesh crossed the border into India and engaged in prostitution in Calcutta 21 . A very low rate of condom usage (1% to 21%) among the clients of CSWs, and the low literacy of CSWs were observed as being risk factors for the transmission of HIV and other STDs in several studies 6,7,12,21,22 . Among the long-distance truck drivers in our survey, 60% had sex with CSWs at least twice a month, and they almost always had sex without using a condom.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh: a national surveillance

Islam

Mitra

Mian³

et al. 1999

Int J STD AIDS

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Nationwide surveillance of HIV/AIDS from 1989 through 1996 in Bangladesh included several risk groups such as professional blood donors, patients with sexually transmitted diseases (STDs), pregnant women at antenatal clinics, commercial sex workers (CSWs), patients with tuberculosis, long-distance truck drivers, sailors, and non-residents. The population was enrolled by convenience sampling after taking informed consent. Among 70,676 persons tested, 80 (1.13 per 1000) were HIV positive. The prevalence rate was steady until 1994, and then increased rapidly. The rate among male heterosexuals was significantly higher than that in females (3.40 per 1000 versus 0.29 per 1000; odds ratio (OR) 11.60; 95% confidence intervals (CI) 6.45 to 21.16; P<0.0001). Twelve per cent of patients with STDs had HIV. The HIV cases concentrated in 2 districts, Sylhet (25/72) and Chittagong (20/72), that border India and Myanmar (formerly Burma), respectively. Frequent movement of people of Bangladesh to India, Pakistan, Myanmar and Thailand, where HIV rates are higher, is one of the possible sources of spread of the cases. Bangladesh has the potential to avert epidemic spread of HIV at its early stage.

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HIV Antibody Seroprevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Sex Workers, Drug Users, and Prisoners in Sindh, Pakistan

Abstract: The prevalence of HIV in CSWs, drug users, and prisoners in Sindh is low at present. Intervention programs implemented at this stage can make an impact in HIV prevention.

Cited by 47 publications

References 33 publications

Four years of experience with antiretroviral therapy in adult patients in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

Four years of experience with antiretroviral therapy in adult patients in Karachi, Sindh, Pakistan

HIV-Infected Workers Deported from the Gulf States: Impact on Southern Pakistan

HIV/AIDS in Bangladesh: a national surveillance

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