Evaluating the Prevalence of Co-Infection and Associated Risk Factors in HIV/AIDS Patients: A Study in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan

This study sought to assess the prevalence of co-infections and their associated risk factors among HIV/AIDS patients in Faisalabad, Punjab, Pakistan. A cross-sectional design was utilized, gathering data from 250 HIV/AIDS patients via interviews, medical records, and laboratory tests. The study evaluated demographic, behavioral, clinical, and healthcare-related factors to discern significant correlations with co-infections, including tuberculosis, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and syphilis. We employed both univariate and multivariate analyses to determine the prevalence of co-infections and the impact of various risk factors on them. Syphilis, tuberculosis, and hepatitis B were the most prevalent co-infections among the participants, comprising 42.8% of the total. Intravenous (IV) drug use, unsafe sexual practices, low educational attainment, and non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) constituted significant risk factors. Higher co-infection rates were also strongly linked to socioeconomic factors, such as unstable housing, low income, and limited access to safe drinking water. The study underscored the importance of healthcare access, as individuals lacking access to healthcare services are more susceptible to co-infections. Moreover, insufficient comprehension of HIV/AIDS correlated with elevated co-infection rates, underscoring the imperative for targeted educational initiatives. The study concludes that reducing the prevalence of co-infection among HIV/AIDS patients necessitates the mitigation of behavioral, social, and clinical risk factors. To reduce the number of co-infections in this group of people, it is essential to enhance ART adherence, facilitate access to medical care, and educate them about public health.