LAUSR

INTRODUCTION HIV/AIDS is a major global public health concern. In Pernambuco state, Brazil, the number of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) is among the highest in the country. Herein, a cross-sectional retrospective observational study was carried out with 811 PLWHA followed up at the Clinical Hospital, Pernambuco, Brazil, between 2013 and 2017. METHODOLOGY The patients' sociodemographic and behavioral data were obtained by interview. Information about HIV load and CD4 T lymphocyte count were obtained from patients' records. Data were analyzed for both the total number of PLWHA and gender. RESULTS Recife municipality had the highest number of PLWHA. Most PLWHA were 40-44 years old, male, brown ethnicity, heterosexual, single, with elementary education, used condoms regularly, shared sharp objects, had surgery, had no non-HIV sexual infection, did not receive transfusions, did not use injectable drugs, and had no tattoo. The median of first and last CD4 T lymphocyte counts were 241 and 549.5 cells/mm³, respectively. The first HIV load had a median of 14,882 copies/mL (IQR = 613-109,750 copies/mL). Regarding the last viral load, 63.74% had an undetectable load. All patients were using antiretroviral therapy, mean time of 5.9 (± 5.5) years. This epidemiological and medical profile was maintained when PLWHA were analyzed according to gender, except for the report of another sexually transmitted infection, in which 51.4% of men (268/521) reported having/or having had it. CONCLUSIONS The epidemiological profile of PLWHA in Pernambuco, Brazil, was described. This regional characterization is useful for directing public health policies, contributing to population-directed decision making.