OBJECTIVETo understand the economic burden caused by antiretroviral treatment for people living with HIV/AIDS and influencing factors in Nanjing.

METHODSPeople living with HIV/AIDS were divided into two groups, HIV infected patients and AIDS patients. The data about their direct medical expenditure, direct non-medical expenditure and indirect economic loss in the past year were collected. Univariate and multivariate analysis were conducted to identify the potential influencing factors.

RESULTSThe median of direct medical expenditure and total costs for 133 HIV infected patients were 1,200 yuan RMB and 1,972 yuan RMB respectively. The median of direct medical expenditure and total costs for 145 AIDS patients were 1 060 yuan RMB and 2 826 yuan RMB respectively. The differences in direct medical expenditure and total costs between HIV infected patients and AIDS patients showed no statistical significance. The results from univariate analysis indicated that the sample source influenced total costs significantly. Multivariate analysis showed that onset time and CD level were negatively correlated with direct medical expenditure. The patients infected through heterosexual contact had more direct medical expenditure than those infected through homosexual contact. The patients receiving HIV test in hospitals had more direct medical expenditure than those receiving volunteer counseling and testing.

CONCLUSIONFurther efforts should be made to expand HIV testing and treatment coverage in order to detect HIV infections as early as possible. Early antiretroviral treatment should be given to HIV infected patients to maintain their immunity and reduce their medical expenditure.