Clinical and Demographic Profile of Newly Diagnosed HIV/AIDS Patients Attending ART Clinic, North Bengal Medical College and Hospital, Darjeeling District, West Bengal

Background: AIDS was first recognized in 1981 in the USA among high-risk groups, later linked to HIV isolation in 1983–84. In India, first case appeared in 1986, with rapid spread among high-risk groups and general population. Estimated burden reached 2–3 million, later about 2.1 million in 2015, with prevalence around 0.3–0.36%. Globally, about 33.3 million people live with HIV, mostly in developing countries. Transmission is mainly heterosexual (87.1%), with other routes including parent-to-child, IDU, and blood exposure, affecting productive age groups. The study aims to assess the demographic and clinical profile of newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS patients attending ART centre at NBMCH, including seropositive cases (2016–2017), age and sex distribution, transmission modes, residence and occupation, clinical features, opportunistic infections, and baseline CD4 count at presentation. Material and Methods: This hospital-based descriptive study included 400 newly diagnosed HIV/AIDS patients attending ART Clinic, NBMCH, Darjeeling. Data on age, sex, residence, occupation, transmission mode, clinical features, CD4 count, and opportunistic infections were collected using a structured proforma. Results were analyzed using descriptive statistics and presented as frequencies and percentages. Results: Tuberculosis was the most common opportunistic infection in HIV patients (28.75%), followed by oral candidiasis (20.50%). Sputum-positive pulmonary TB occurred in 31 patients (7.75%), mostly with CD4 100–250. Most opportunistic infections increased as CD4 count decreased, with severe infections like cryptococcosis and toxoplasmosis seen mainly at CD4 <100. Conclusion: HIV infection is more common in males and sexually active young adults, mainly transmitted through heterosexual contact. Migration, occupation (drivers, labourers, sex workers), low literacy, and poor awareness contribute to spread. Common symptoms include fever, with tuberculosis and oral candidiasis as frequent opportunistic infections related to CD4 count. Urban populations are more affected.

Keywords: HIV/AIDS, ART clinic, demographic profile, clinical profile, opportunistic infections, CD4 count.