Hiv associated Kaposi's Sarcoma: Ethnic diffrences among hiv assosiated ks patients at Kenyatta National Hospital

Abstract

A study on HIV Associated Kaposi's sarcoma: Ethnic Differences among HIV associated KS patients at Kenyatta National Hospital BACKGROUND HIV associated Kaposi's sarcoma is common Malignancy that clinicians have to deal with frequently at KNH, both in the outpatient and inpatient set-up. The demographic background of patients with HIV associated KS attending KNH is not well documented This study aimed to determine the patients' characteristics including age, sex, ethnic / racial background, education level as well as the districts of residence during the first 10 years of life, then 10-20 years and subsequent years. METHODS This was a prospective cross-sectional descriptive study carried out between May2004 and May 2005. The demographic data was obtained through face to face interviews by the principal investigator. Thorough physical examinations followed For patients meeting the inclusion criteria, pre-test counselling for HIV testing and biopsy of KS lesion was done . .2mls of venous blood was drawn and forwarded for ELISA testing for HIV infections status using the Enzygnost kit. A biopsy or the suspected KS lesion was done under local anaesthesia for histological confirmation by apathologist. Post-test counselling was then done before disclosing the test results to the patients, who were then referredfor further specialized care. RESULTS 90 patients were recruitedfor data analysis. Age information for one patient was not available while three did not give their education achievements. The males constituted 56% and female 44% 41 (46.1%) of the patients 'vvereaged 30-39 years, 28(31.5%) aged 40-49 years, 13(14. 6%) were aged 25-29 years while only 3(3.4%) were below 25 years. 4(4.5%) were over 50 years old 23%,45% and 19% had achieved primary, secondary and college level education respectively. The kikuyu ethnic group formed 36.7% followed by the Luo (27.8%) Kamba (15.6%) and the Luhya (8.9%). The rest of the Kenya ethnic groups formed less than or equal to 3% each.. 4 districts (Nairobi 13%, Nyeri 11.1%, Siaya 10% and Machakos 6.7%) hosted the patients in theirfirst 2 decades of life but thereafter majority of patients were found to reside in Nairobi district (56.7%). . CONCLUSION There were no significant ethnic differences among patients with HIV associated KS at Kenyatta National Hospital RECOMMEDATIONS Future research should focus on factors contributing to the incidences of KS in both HIV positive and HIV negative Patients including any regional specific factors like prevalence of KSH