Seroprevalence and seroconversion rates of human immunodeficiency virus discordant couples attending a tertiary care center: A prospective cohort study

Abstract

Background: Serodiscordant couples are an important population group that needs to be addressed in human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) prevention. However, the exact magnitude of the problem is often underestimated even among health care workers. Methods: This prospective cohort study was conducted in the Regional Institute of Medical Sciences, Imphal for a period of 2 years, to estimate the prevalence and seroconversion rates of HIV discordant couples in this population. Results: Among the 90 discordant couples under follow-up, 2 HIV-negative partners seroconverted with a seroconversion rate of 1.14 hundred person-years. The average age of the study population was 36.99 years. Eighty percent of the HIV positive partners were males Seventy-six out of 90 patients were educated at primary school level and above. Intravenous drug use was the main risk factor.