Characteristics of subjects counseled and tested for HIV in an Indonesian hospital; factors associated with HIV-status and CD4 cell-count.
OBJECTIVE
to identification the predictors of HIV-seropositivity and level of immunosuppression.


METHODS
in a cross-sectional study, we examined HIV-testing practice, HIV-knowledge, perceived risk of being HIV-positive, and health status among out-patients enrolled in voluntary counseling and testing (VCT), and in-patients who underwent provider-initiated testing (PITC) in the largest teaching hospital in West Java, Indonesia.


RESULTS
among 202 respondents, 47% were HIV+, and the median CD4 of HIV+ was 193/mm³ among VCT (n=124) and 11/mm³ among PITC (n=78). HIV/AIDS related knowledge among those entering VCT was significantly higher than among those in PITC, but perceived risk of being HIV-infected was lower. Logistic regression analysis predicting HIV status revealed a significant main effect for oral thrush and chronic diarrhea and for Hepatitis C status (p<.01). For those who are HIV positive, weight loss was strongly predictive of a low CD4 cell count (p<.01).


CONCLUSIONS
in this setting, the HIV-seroprevalence is high and many HIV-infected subjects are symptomatic. Increasing HIV knowledge may lead to earlier HIV-detection. Health care workers play an important role in referral for VCT and PITC, and several symptoms, alone or in combination, can help identify those who are at highest risk for HIV.
Hinduan
Zahrotur R
ZR
Faculty of Psychology, Padjajaran University. Jl. Dipati Ukur no. 35 Bandung, 40132, Indonesia. zahrotur_hinduan@yahoo.com
Kesumah
Nirmala
N
Iskandar
Zulriska
Z
van Crevel
Reinout
R
Alisjahbana
Bachti
B
Hospers
Harm J
HJ
D015492:AIDS Serodiagnosis; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D003376:Counseling; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology; D006679:HIV Seropositivity / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000276:immunology; D006801:Humans; D007214:Indonesia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012307:Risk Factors; D055815:Young Adult