| dc.description.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 | sv |
