Initial symptoms and late presentation of HIV infected persons seen in HIV clinics Uyo, Akwa Ibom State

Abstract

Background: Recognition of HIV symptoms may be associated with the stage in which HIV infected persons, present at health facilities to seek care, this study aimed at describing the initial symptoms of People living with HIV (PLWHIV) and determine socio demographic characteristics associated with late presentation at the HIV clinics in Uyo.
Methods: This was a cross-sectional descriptive study carried out on PLWHIV at initial visits to either of the two HIV clinics in Uyo. Data was collected using a pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaire, while CD4 and clinical stage were obtained from the patients’ folders.
Result: A total of 166 respondents were recruited over a period of four months, 67% of them were females and significantly younger than the males (p value=0.0039). The proportion of late presenters was 60%. Secondary level of education predicted late presentation compared to primary level (OR 5.6 P value= 0.004). PLWHIV whose length of time after diagnosis were between 1 to 3 months and those above 1 year were less likely to present late compared to those that presented within 1 month of diagnosis (OR 0.18, P value 0.03; OR 0.86 P value < 0.0001 respectively). Those who had no perception of illness were not likely to present late (OR 0.6; p value <0.0001). Fever (OR 3.9; P value 0.025), rashes (OR 5.4 P value 0.002) defined late presentation
Conclusion: With the high level of late presentation of PLWHIV to health facilities, Voluntary Counselling and Testing (VCT) need to be intensified at the community level and with the full implementation of the ‘test and treat’ policy, this situation may improve.