DETECTION OF HIV INFECTION IN MEN SUFFERING FROM SEXUALLY TRANSMITTED DISEASES IN NORTH EAST REGION

In a prospective study, 715 men in the age group 18-45 years with various sexually transmitted diseases (STD) from Jan 1993 to June 1996 were examined for presence of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection. Majority (86%) were young adults in the age group of 21-35 years. Five hundred and fifty eight (78.04%) men were married and 157 (21.9%) were single. Majority men (87.3%) gave history of heterosexual exposures with female commercial sex workers. None had used condom during sexual intercourse. Out of 715, majority (30.9%) cases had chancroid. Blood samples were tested for HIV 1-2 antibodies during treatment and surveillance period by Enzyme Linked Immunosorbent Assay (ELISA) technique. Nine cases of STDs were positive for HIV 1-2 antibodies by ELISA test and 8 (1.1%) were confirmed by Western blot assay. All HIV seropositive men got infection from female commercial sex workers which were detected during their surveillance period. This study highlights the importance of screening of STD patients for HIV infection during treatment as well as surveillance period.