Table 1 Baseline characteristics of the patients at enrolment

Age median (IQR) in years

32 (28 to 39)

Sex

Males

177(48.2)

Females

190(51.8)

Residence

Urban

283(77.1)

Rural

84(22.9)

BMI kg/m²

> 15.4

295(80.4)

≤ 15.4

72(19.6)

Karnofsky score

60-100

286(77.9)

≤ 50

81(22.1)

Meningeal signs present

24(6.5)

Presence of focal neurological deficits

10(2.7)

Papular rash

27(7.4)

WHO stage

I

14(3.8)

II

47(12.8)

III

174(47.4)

IV

132(36.0)

HIV status

Previously known

236(64.3)

Recent HIV diagnosis

131(35.7)

CD4 (cells/mm³)

Median (IQR) 23 (9 to 51)

50-100

98(26.7)

< 50

269(73.3)