Table 1 General characteristics of the hill tribe HIV/AIDS

Total

3,130

100.0

Tribal group

 Akha

1,441

46.0

 Karen

271

8.7

 Kmong

221

7.1

 Lahu

617

19.7

 Lisu

282

9.0

 Yao

298

9.5

Sex

 Male

1,710

54.6

 Female

1,420

45.4

Age (years)

 <15

230

7.4

 16-25

448

14.3

 26-35

1,396

44.6

 36-45

790

25.2

 46-55

197

6.3

 >56

69

2.2

Max = 90, Min = 0, Mean = 31.83

Occupation

 Agriculture

1,403

44.8

 Temporary employee

1,007

32.2

 Trader

57

1.8

 Housewife

98

3.1

 Children (<7 years)

109

3.5

 Students (7 > university)

104

3.3

 Unemployed

89

2.8

 Others

263

8.4

Year of diagnosis

 1990-1995

154

4.9

 1996-2000

548

17.5

 2001-2005

1,374

43.9

 2006-2010

1,054

33.7

Living areas (District)

 Muang Chiang Rai

507

16.2

 Wiang Pa Pao

442

14.1

 Mae Chan

348

11.1

 Wiang Ken

123

3.9

 Chiang Saen

41

1.3

 Mae Suai

589

18.8

 Mae Fah Laung

808

25.8

 Phaya Menrai

28

0.9

 Doi Luang

40

1.3

 Phan

73

2.3

 Chiang Khong

58

1.9

 Wiang Chai

18

0.6

 Thoeng

14

0.5

 Khun Tan

2

0.1

 Mae Sai

14

0.5

 Mae Lao

25

0.8

Diagnosis as (classified in medical record)

 Asymptomatic

373

11.9

 HIV (AIDS related complex)

2,060

65.8

 AIDS

697

22.3

Route of transmission

 Sexual intercourse

2,913

93.1

 Mother to child

200

6.4

 IDU

17

0.5

Life status (last entry)

 Alive

749

23.9

 Dead

2,381

76.1

Initiated ARV

 Yes

1,042

33.3

 No

2,088

66.7

CD4 level (cell/ml.)

 >200

285

9.1

 <200

12

0.4

 Unknown

2,833

90.5

Max = 281, Min = 32, Mean = 117.74

TB disease

 No

2,170

69.3

 Yes

960

30.7