Experience in the management of the HIV patient among the physicians of the Secretaría de Salud

OBJECTIVE: To determine the experience of the National Health Ministry physicians in the management of HIV-infected patients and in the use of antiretrovirals. MATERIAL AND METHOD: A descriptive, observational and transversal study was performed, with support from the National AIDS Council from March to May 1998. Self-applicable questionnaires were filled by National Health Ministry physicians with experience in HIV patient clinical care, at the beginning of 5 different meetings on HIV/AIDS in several cities of the country. Statistical analysis included the chi-square test. RESULTS: One hundred and eighty-one questionnaires were applied. The median of HIV patients attended by physicians was 4 (interval 1-97); 36.5% of the physicians had used antiretrovirals (35.4% prescribed nucleoside analogs and 9.9% protease inhibitors). The most frequently used drugs were AZT and/or ddl (40.3%); 17.7% had administered CD4+ lymphocyte count and 8.8% viral load. CONCLUSIONS: The proportion of National Health Ministry physicians with experience in VIH patient care was low, as was the use of antiretrovirals. Efforts should be focus on improving care of HIV patients through physician training.