Abstract
Objective: To measure the effects of attendance and treatment of HIV/AIDS patients at outpatient department on clinical, laboratory results, and sexual behavior.
Subjects and Methods: A study was conducted through a questionnaire and review of medical records for HIV/AIDS patients attending outpatient departments in three hospitals in Osaka City in 2005-2006.
Results: (1) Conditions at HIV Testing upon Diagnosis and Sexual Behavior
127HIV/AIDS patients in 3 hospitals replied to the questionnaire. 97.6% of them were male. Most (85.1%) of the residents in Osaka City attended health facility for HIV test within the city. 93.5% of 123 persons visited medical facilities within one month after HIV positive results were given. 81.5% of persons diagnosed at medical facilities “visited” medical facilities in a week for further examination and treatment, while 48.4% of persons diagnosed at city and ward public health offices did so in a week. 77% of them reduced risky sexual behavior in the past 6 months compared with the period prior to HIV positive results being known. In particular, 80.6% of persons diagnosed at city and ward public health offices reduced risky sexual behavior. It was more than that (65.6%) of persons diagnosed at medical facilities. The difference is statistically significant (x2 test, p< 0.05).
(2) The effects of treatment on symptoms and laboratory tests 59 HIV/AIDS patients in 3 hospitals agreed to examination of their medical charts. 18.5% of them experienced default to attend the outpatient department on their scheduled dates in 2005-2006.35 received HAART and only one patient (2.9%) stopped treatment for more than 2 months. Symptoms improved or have not changed in 88.2% and viral load & CD4 count improved or have not changed in 81.3% of patients.
Conclusion: As most of the HIV/AIDS patients who regularly receive medical consultation and treatment improved symptoms and laboratory results, efforts on early case finding and early treatment would lead to reduction of HIV infection in future. Therefore it is important to increase opportunity further for HIV testing.
