Treatment failure to first line antiretroviral

Abstract

Treatment failure to first line antiretroviral treatment among HIV-patients at Dodoma Regional Hospital, Tanzania Alisa Mundzic, June 2017 Supervisors: Rune Andersson, Department of Infectious Diseases at Institute of Biomedicine, Sahlgrenska Academy, University of Gothenburg Boniface Nguhuni, Resource Centre for Infectious Diseases, Dodoma Regional Referral Hospital, Dodoma, Tanzania. Abstract Introduction HIV is not only a health problem but also as a socio-economic and development problem. Treatment failure contributes to development of drug resistance, the risk of transmission increase and inadequate treatment leads to death. Herbal medicines are sometimes used as a primary treatment for HIV/AIDS and HIV-related problems. It has been shown that herbal medications effect the serum levels of antiretroviral medications. Up to 80% use herbal medication in some parts of Africa. Stigma and the discrimination of people living with HIV are some of the biggest challenges when it comes to HIV prevention, treatment, care and support. Aim The aim of the study was to identify factors that contributes to therapy failure at Dodoma Regional Hospital, Tanzania. Methods Data was collected of 93 HIV-diagnosed men and women at Dodoma Regional Hospital, Tanzania. Treatment failure was determined following the WHO criteria for clinical and immunological treatment failure with some modification. SPSS were used to compare patients with successful treatment to patients failing treatment. In cases were a significant P-value was found the two groups were compared with odds ratios with 95 % confidence intervals for the underlying factors and outcome variables. Results Among the 93 patients, 77% were women and 23% were men and the mean age was 44 years. The prevalence of treatment failure among the patients monitored at the hospital was 15%. High transport costs (OR 5.74), long time traveling to the clinics (OR 11.26), and the advice from traditional healers to stop antiretroviral treatment (OR 40.8), were found to be significant predictors of treatment failure. Conclusions Long travels to the hospitals, high transport costs and advice from traditional healers to stop using antiretroviral treatment were factors associated with an increased risk of therapy failure