The Level of Acceptance of Physical Therapy Treatment among Health Care Providers of Pakistan

Purpose: Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS), caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), remains a major global public health challenge.HIV primarily targets CD4+ T-helper cells, leading to immune suppression and increased vulnerability to opportunistic infections.Syphilis is among the most common coinfections in HIV-positive individuals, as it can enhance HIV replication and accelerate CD4 cell depletion, thereby worsening disease progression.This study aimed to investigate the association and impact of syphilis coinfection on CD4 cell counts in HIV-infected patients in Punjab, Pakistan, to support improved disease control and management strategies.Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted on 150 HIV-positive patients enrolled at the Punjab AIDS Control Program.Participants included 64 males, 76 females, and 10 transgender individuals.Risk categories comprised the general population (n=93), female sex workers (n=10), male sex workers (n=30), and injection drug users (n=17).Serological screening was performed to identify syphilis coinfection.Data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 to assess associations between coinfection status, CD4 cell counts, and viral load.Results: The mean age of participants was 32.5 years.Sixteen patients (10.7%) were coinfected with syphilis, predominantly males (56.3%).Coinfected individuals exhibited lower CD4 counts and higher viral loads compared to non-coinfected patients, indicating enhanced disease progression.Conclusion: Syphilis-HIV coinfection was prevalent among HIV-positive patients in Punjab, particularly among males.Coinfection was associated with reduced CD4 counts and elevated viral load, underscoring the need for routine serological screening for early detection and integrated management of sexually transmitted infections in HIV care programs.