The Changing Dynamics of HIV/AIDS Burden and Screening Strategies in Pakistan | [Annals of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences • 2017]

Author(s):

1. Usman Waheed: Department of Pathology and Blood Bank, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, Pakistan

2. Muhammad Arshad: Bioinformatics & Biotechnology, International Islamic University, Islamabad, Pakistan

3. Lisa Bryde: Epidemiology and Laboratory Services, Office of Public Health Scientific Services, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Atlanta, USA.

4. Abida Arshad: Department of Zoology, PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Pakistan

5. Muhammad Umair: Department of Biochemistry, Quaid-i-Azam University, Islamabad, Pakistan

6. Hasan Abbas Zaheer: Department of Pathology and Blood Bank, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, Pakistan

Abstract:

Pakistan, despite being classified as the “low prevalence high risk” country, is now in the “concentrated phase” of the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The biggest obstacles in the prevention of the disease are illiteracy and low socio-economic status of the masses. The dynamics of the HIV epidemic are changing in Pakistan and this is the time to implement successful prevention and care programme to arrest the spread of HIV/AIDS. The diagnostic strategies recommended by the WHO emphasize the use of more than one screening/diagnostic tests to rule out false positive and false negative results which otherwise could have serious implications. The usual diagnostic methods include ELISA, Rapid, Western blot and PCR. Unfortunately, due to lack of finances and trained technical manpower, only one of the Rapid or ELISA is used for HIV diagnosis in majority of the laboratories throughout the country. Moreover, the standard procedures of “consent, counseling and confidentiality” as well as the quality of the testing kits are reportedly compromised. Expansion of HIV testing opportunities wherein an HIV test is offered and followed up with counseling and prompt referral to treatment centres need to be made more accessible. it is essential to regulate entry of HIV testing kits into the market because the accuracy of a test outcome depends both on the quality of the kits and its correct usage. This review discusses the current scenario of epidemic as well as various methods for the diagnosis of HIV in Pakistan.

Page(s): 108-115

DOI: DOI not available

Published: Journal: Annals of the Pakistan Institute of Medical Sciences, Volume: 13, Issue: 1, Year: 2017

Keywords:

Pakistan , HIV , screening , diagnosis , aids

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