Estimating the Clinical and Risk Behavioral Factors Associated with HIV/AIDS among People Living with HIV/AIDS, El-Obeid Teaching Hospital, North Kordofan State, Sudan

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a major public health challenge, with clinical manifestations and risk-related behaviors influencing disease progression and transmission. A retrospective cross-sectional hospital-based study of the socio-demographic characteristics, clinical profiles, treatment patterns, and behavioral risk factors among 196 people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in El-Obeid city, with a complete response rate of 100% (total coverage). Data were analyzed and processed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), version 23.0, and Microsoft Excel 2010, and results were presented using tables and figures. The majority of participants were aged between 26 and 45 years. Male participants constituted 56.1% of the study population. Almost all participants-initiated ART immediately after diagnosis. Nearly half of the participants reported suffering from chronic diseases. TB was the most prevalent comorbidity, affecting 50% of those with chronic conditions. Sexual transmission was identified as the primary risk factor, accounting for nearly 60% of infections. Approximately 15% of respondents reported having more than three sexual partners. HIV/AIDS among PLWHA is associated with low condom utilization the first time they had sex, multiple sexual partners, alcohol consumption, early sexual debut, substance abuse, and socio-economic vulnerability.