Frequency of risk factors for transmission of HIV/AIDS

Background: Pakistan is considered a low prevalence but future high risk country for human immunodeficiency virus infection. The objective of this study was to find out the risk factors for transmission of HIV infection.Material Methods: This descriptive study was carried out from February 2008 to July 2011 at Anti Retroviral Centre, Kohat. All 65 HIV positive patients were interviewed after informed consent.Results: A total of 65 patients suffering from HIV/AIDS were interviewed; 47(72%) males and 18(28%) females. The mean age was 41 years. Five males and 3 females were unmarried; the rest 57 were married. Regarding education, 2 patients were having primary and one middle level education, the rest were uneducated. Regarding transmission, 40(61.54% had heterosexual transmission, 4(6.20%) were of mother to child transmission, one had history of dental procedure before contracting infection while 4 had a previous history of blood transfusion. No homosexual or transgender transmission was reported. Out of 40 heterosexual transmissions; 24 were from sex workers, 15 from husband to wife and one from wife to husband. Regarding addiction, 21(32.3%) using oral snuff addiction, 2(3.1%) hashish, 2(3.1%) smokers, 2(3.1%) were injection drug users and the rest had no addiction. Out of 65 cases, 57(87.7%) did not have history of sexually transmitted infections, whereas 8(12.3%) had no such history.Conclusion: Heterosexuality is the most common mode of transmission and sex with a sex worker is the most common risk factor for HIV/AIDS transmission in our set-up, while mother to child and injectable drug abuse are the next common risk factor