The objectives of the study were to describe selected characteristics (age, sex and route of transmission) of HIV patients attending HIV clinic in a large tertiary care centre and to determine the distribution of opportunistic infections and CD4 counts among them. A retrospective observational study undertaken in a large tertiary care centre. The study sample included clinic records of all the male and female patients with the diagnosis of HIV during the period of 1st January 2003 to 31st December 2007. Diagnosis of HIV at the clinic had been done according to WHO guidelines. Age, sex, route of transmission, CD4 count and presence of opportunistic infections were used as variables. Out of 3067 HIV infected patients analyzed, 1887 (61.5%) were males and 1180 (38.5%) were females. Mean age of study group was 35.1±9.0 years. Majority (91.8%) were in the age group of 15–49 years. Mean CD4 count of male patients was 203.7 + 169.4 which was significantly lower as compared to female patients which was 284.8 + 223.3. Predominant route of transmission was heterosexual noted in 2507 (81.7%) patients. Tuberculosis and Oropharyngeal candidiasis were the commonest opportunistic infections detected while Cryptococcal meningitis was the commonest central nervous infection. Patients with opportunistic infections had significantly lower CD4 counts compared to those without opportunistic infections. Females presented at earlier stage of HIV infection in comparison to males. Tuberculosis and Oropharyngeal candidiasis were the commonest opportunistic infections and cryptococcal meningitis was the most common CNS opportunistic infection. This study documents the risks of commonly reported opportunistic infections at lower CD4 counts. This study highlights the importance of strengthening the existing screening and awareness programmes to detect more HIV patients in early stages.
