Sociodemographic Characteristics of Patients with Advanced HIV Disease in Enugu, South-east Nigeria: A Retrospective Analysis of Program Data

Background: Advanced Human Immunodeficiency Virus
disease is militating against the gains made in HIV care
and treatment programs, especially in sub-Africa. Even
with broadened access to antiretroviral therapy, HIV

patients develop advanced HIV disease due to re-
emerging opportunistic infections. This study x-rayed the

sociodemographic characteristics of patients with
advanced HIV disease in order to facilitate HIV program
designs that focus on the prevention, care, and treatment
of advanced HIV disease.
Methods: This was a retrospective analysis of program
data of patients diagnosed with advanced HIV disease,
based on their CD4 cell counts, between April 2022 and
March 2023. A descriptive statistical analysis of their
sociodemographic variables was done using SPSS version
22. The statistical correlations between the socioeconomic

status and results of the Lateral Flow-
Lipoarabinomannan and cryptococcal antigens tests,

ART adherence, and patients living status were
computed. The observations were presented with tables
and charts.Results: Advanced HIV disease concentrated in the 31 to
45-year age group with observable preponderance for
female patients and people of lower socioeconomic status.Conclusion: The findings that advanced HIV disease is
common among female HIV-positive patients and people
from lower socioeconomic status signal the design of the
AHD package of care around these vulnerable
populations.