Abstract:
Objectives: To determine the causes of hospitalisation, the prevalence and
presentation of HIV infection, and the socio-economic status among medical
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admissions aged 55 years and above.
Methods: Consecutive patients aged 55 and above hospitalised at the medical wards
were clinically evaluated, socio-demographic data collected, and venous blood
samples drawn. HIV antibodies were determined by ELISA; all reactive sera were
tested by Western Blot for confirmation.
Results: Of 1,934 patients hospitalised during the study period, 276 (14.3%) were 55
years or more. 253/276 (91.7%) patients were recruited into the study and comprised
of 151 (59.7%) males and 102 (40.3%) females. Diseases of the cardiovascular
system accounted for 29.0% of the diagnoses, followed by infections (22.1%), and
cerebrovascular accidents (8.9%). The HIV-l seroprevalence by sex was 18.5%
(28/151) among males compared to 9.8% (10/102) among females (p = 0.06). The
HIV-l prevalence among those aged 55 to 59 was 29.7%. There was no association
between HIV -1 serostatus and whether one lived in a rural or urban area, marital
status, level of education, occupation, nor socio-economic status. The presentation
among HIV-l seropositive patients was wasting 44.7%, fever 3.9.5%, pallor 34.2%,
weight loss 31. 6%, productive cough 28.9%, palpitations 23.7%, and 23.7% had skin
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lesions. HIV infection was correctly suspected in 6/38 (15.8%) patients. The study
patients were generally of a poor economic status with low purchasing power.
Conclusions: 1. HIV infection is a major problem in the population of elderly medical
admissions. 2. The possibility of HIV infection should be considered among elderly
patients with clinical features of immunodeficiency. 3. mY/AIDS prevention
programs directed to the elderly should be established. 4. There does not appear to be
any significant change in the pattern of diseases in the elderly over time. 5. Cost
sharing for medical services is an extreme burden on the elderly population.
