CD4 Cell Count of HIV-Positive Patients in Awka, South East Nigeria

). It gives information on possible treatment failure. This study was undertaken to evaluate the CD4 count of treatment nave HIV-positive patients who registered at HIV clinic of Anambra State University Teaching Hospital Awka, Anambra State. 460 case notes of all confirmed, HIV-positive patients who enrolled at the HIV clinic of Anambra State University Teaching Hospital Awka between Jan 2011-June 2013 were retrieved from the medical records. Baseline CD4 count, sex, age, ethnicity, occupation and religion were recorded and reviewed.143 patients (31.09%) were males, while 317 (68.91%) were females with male to female ratio being 1:2.2. 39.13% were between 21-30 age range, closely followed by 31-40 age range with 33.48%. Only one patient (0.22%) belonged to above 70 age group. The occupation of most patients was business/trade which had 165 patients (35.87%). 22.61% were self-employed. The least was professional with 15 patients (3.26%). Those with CD4 count of less than 350 cells/mm 3 were 240 (52.17%) while 220 (47.83%) had above 350 cells/mm 3 . 119 patients (25.9%) had CD4 count of 200 cells/mm 3 or less. Based on current guidelines, most HIV positive patients in this study require antiretroviral therapy.