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ObjectiveTo investigate the status of different antiretroviral therapy（ART） initiation times in patients with HIV/AIDS and analyze the relevant characteristics and influencing factors of delayed ART. MethodsFrom December 2018 to December 2020， a survey was conducted among adult HIV/AIDS patients treated in 28 designated AIDS prevention and treatment institutions in Beijing， Shanghai， Guangdong， Jiangsu， Henan， Jiangxi， Guangxi， Yunnan and other places. Data of the basic demographic information， lifestyle and chronic disease prevalence， and characteristics of diagnosis and treatment were collected. The characteristics and related factors of delayed ART were compared and analyzed. ResultsThe median age of 1 741 patients was 41 years old （IQR： 32‒52）. The initial CD4 count of most patients was less than 200 cells·μL-1（51.4%）. Among them， 1 027 patients had delayed ART （59.0%）， and the association between ART initiation time and initial CD4 count varied with the time of diagnosis of HIV infection. Multivariate logistic analysis showed that the older age （aOR=0.99， 95%CI： 0.98‒0.99） was associated with a higher rate of starting ART within 1 month after diagnosis， while those diagnosed before 2017 and with the initial CD4 count >200 cells·μL-1 were more likely to delay ART. Delayed initiation of ART may be a risk factor for poor sleep quality and co-infection in HIV/AIDS patients. ConclusionWith the expansion of free ART in China， the proportion of delayed ART with HIV/AIDS shows a downward trend. Timely ART management should be strengthened for the young HIV/AIDS patients and patients with high CD4 counts.
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Background- HIV/AIDS is a chronic illness. Besides having serious morbidities, opportunistic infections, it also adversely affects quality of life of People Living with HIV/AIDS (QOL- PLHIV). Early and prompt initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) might improve quality of life of PLHIV in various domains like psychological, physical, environment level of independence, social relationship and spirituality/religion/personal beliefs. Material and methods- The study was conducted at a medical institute of North India. Patients attending ART centre of the institute for the treatment of HIV/AIDS were interviewed on WHOQOL-HIV questionnaire. Aim and objectives- To assess and compare quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS at initiation and after 6 months of receiving antiretroviral therapy. Result- QOL-PLHIV was improved in various domains when assessed after six months of receiving ART. For physical domain mean score increased from 12.83 to 13.85, for psychological domain from 12.54 to 14.31, for level of independence from 12.95 to 13.21, for social relationship from 12.46 to 14.15, for environment domain from 11.98 to 13.15 and for spirituality/religion/personal belief mean score increased from 11.41 to 11.96. Respective standard deviation was decreased when compared from before initiation of ART to six months after receiving ART. Conclusion – Quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS was improved significantly after receiving ART.
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Background: Although an increasing access to ART in sub-Saharan Africa has made it possible for HIV/AIDS patients to live longer, clinicians managing such patients are faced with the challenge of drug-related metabolic complications. Methods: A cross -sectional study was carried out at the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Nigeria, on three groups of participants; namely HIV patients on ART, ART-naïve patients and HIV negative subjects (n =75). Demographic and anthropometric data were collected using a well-structured questionnaire while biochemical parameters were measured using colorimetric methods. Results: The highest prevalence of MS was associated with the HIV/AIDS patients on ART (i.e. 32.0 %, and 50.3% for NCEP-ATP III and IDF criteria respectively). Patients on ART had significant increases (p< 0.05) in waist to hip ratio, FPG, serum TG and LDL-c; and a significantly higher (p< 0.05) prevalence of hypertension, diabetes, low HDL-c and hypertriglyceridemia compared to the ART-naïve patients. Low serum HDL-c was the most prevalent form of dyslipidemia in all three groups and the most prevalent component of MS in HIV patients. Conclusion: ART increases the risk of MS and CVD. HIV/AIDS patients on ART should be advised on lifestyle modifications and undertake regular assessment of their cardiovascular risk factors
Subject(s)
Patients , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , HIV , Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active , Activation, Metabolic , Africa South of the Sahara , Physostigma , NigeriaABSTRACT
Los pacientes con Virus de inmunodeficiencia humana (VIH) pueden presentar alteraciones del funcionalismo y estructura hepática como consecuencia de la terapia antirretroviral (TARV), de otras coinfecciones o de patologías metabólicas o neoplásicas que pueden presentarse en cualquier estadio de la enfermedad. La realización de las pruebas de laboratorio y el ultrasonido abdominal son herramientas fundamentales para la detección y seguimiento de estos casos. Objetivo: Describir las alteraciones bioquímicas y ecográficas a nivel hepático en pacientes que viven con condición de VIH/Sida que reciben TARV. Metodología: Investigación clínica, descriptiva, de campo, de corte transversal, donde se incluyeron pacientes con VIH mayores de 18 años que acudieron a la consulta de Infectología del Hospital Central de Maracay en el período marzo-junio de 2017. Se excluyeron pacientes con coinfecciones y patologías metabólicas. Se registraron datos epidemiológicos, clínicos y paraclínicos. Resultados: Se incluyeron 23 pacientes que recibían TARV, predominando el sexo masculino y el rango etario de 20-29 años. 60,87 % tenían entre 1 y 3 años en TARV regular. 21,73 % de los pacientes mostraron elevación de las transaminasas tanto glutámico-pirúvica (TGP) como glutámico-oxalacética (TGO), destacándose que todos los pacientes de este grupo recibían terapia con inhibidores de la transcriptasa reversa análogo de nucleósido más inhibidores de la transcriptasa reversa no análogo de nucleósido (ITRN/ ITRNN); en cuanto a los valores de bilirrubina se evidenció que quienes recibían la combinación ITRN/Inhibidores de la proteasa (IP) presentaron elevación de los niveles de bilirrubina a predominio de la indirecta (21,7 %). Para la GGT solo un paciente presentó alteración. El hallazgo ecográfico más frecuente fue la esteatosis hepática (69,56 %), predominando la esteatosis hepática grado II. Conclusión: Es necesario en los pacientes con condición VIH la evaluación regular e integral de parámetros hepáticos, en búsqueda de efectos adversos de la terapéutica, u otras condiciones médicas y nutricionales que puedan incrementar el riesgo de patología hepática
Patients with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) may have alterations in liver function and structure because of antiretroviral therapy (ART), other coinfections or metabolic or neoplastic diseases that can occur at any stage of the disease. The performance of laboratory tests and abdominal ultrasound are essential tools for the detection and monitoring of these cases. Objective: Describe the biochemical and ultrasound alterations at a hepatic level in patients living with HIV/ AIDS who receive ART. Methodology: Clinical research, descriptive, field, cross-sectional, which included patients with HIV over 18 years who attended the consultation of Infectious Diseases at the Central Hospital of Maracay in the period March-June 2017. Patients with coinfections and metabolic pathologies were excluded. Epidemiological, clinical and paraclinical data were recorded. Results: Twenty-three patients receiving ART were included, predominantly male and with an age range of 20-29 years. 60.87 % were between 1 and 3 years on regular ART. 21.73 % of the patients showed elevation of both glutamic-pyruvic transaminase (GPT) and glutamic-oxalacetic transaminase (GOT), highlighting that all patients in this group received therapy with nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors plus non-nucleoside analogue reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs/NNRTIs). In terms of bilirubin values, it was shown that those receiving the combination of NRTIs/Protease Inhibitors (PI) showed an increase in bilirubin levels with a predominance of hint (21.7 %). About GGT only one patient presented alteration. The most frequent ultrasound finding was Hepatic Steatosis (69.56 %), with predominance of hepatic steatosis grade II. Conclusion: It is necessary in patients with HIV condition regular and comprehensive assessment of liver parameters, in search of adverse effects of therapy, or other medical and nutritional conditions that may increase the risk of liver disease.
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@#Introduction: Immune reconstitution inflammatory syndrome (IRIS) is paradoxical clinical deterioration experienced by some HIV-infected patients in response to antiretroviral therapy (ART). There is still limited published data on IRIS from this region including Malaysia. This study aimed to determine IRIS prevalence, clinical manifestations and possible predictors among HIV-infected patients in an infectious disease centre in Peninsular Malaysia. Method: This retrospective study was conducted in Hospital Sungai Buloh involving secondary data of 256 HIV-infected patients who were initiated on ART in the year 2017. Medical record of each patient was reviewed for up to 12 months following ART initiation to identify IRIS diagnosis which was made by the treating physician. Relevant clinical and laboratory information were retrieved from hospital electronic database. Results: IRIS has occurred in 17.6% of patients. Infections by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (53.3%), Pneumocystis jirovecii (11.1%) and Talaromyces marneffei (6.6%) were the commonest three aetiologies of IRIS. Subacute lupus erythematosus was the only non-infectious IRIS identified. Baseline HIV viral load, CD4+ T-cell count and haemoglobin level between IRIS and non-IRIS patients were significantly different. Risk of developing IRIS was increased seven times in patients with CD4+ T-cell count < 100 cells/µL and four times in patients with HIV RNA viral load > 5.5 log10 copies/ml prior to ART initiation. Conclusion: Mycobacterium tuberculosis infections were the highest IRIS manifestation. Although rare, non-infectious IRIS does occur and should be part of the differential diagnosis. Patients with positive predictors should be appropriately monitored for possible IRIS development once initiated on ART.
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As estimated by WHO, globally a total of 36.9 million [34.3 – 41.4 million] people were living with HIV in 2014. Quality of life (QOL) of HIV/AIDS patients is becoming an important element for understanding and assessing the overall health care and management in health care settings. The objective of this study was to determine the QOL of patients living with HIV/AIDS in Delhi. Systemic Random sampling method was used to identify the subjects from the antiretroviral therapy clinic (ART) situated in tertiary care hospital in Delhi. Methods: 200 patients were interviewed with the WHOQOL-HIV instrument. Questionnaire included items on socio-demographic data, multi-item scales and had six domains namely physical, psychological, level of independence, social relationships, environment and spirituality religion. Results: Study subjects were aged between 18-60 years with mean age of 34.46±8.76 years, and comprised of 41%females. 29 % of studied subjects were illiterate. More than 1/3rd of the patients (84% females) were unemployed and did not have any source of income. All QOL domains were observed to be higher for males in comparison to females. Single/widow patients had better QOL in comparison to married patients. QOL was observed to be better among those who were young, had better educational qualifications, were employed, asymptomatic, had shorter duration of treatment and those who stayed closer to the ART center. Conclusion: Correlation of scores of six domains with overall QOL score and among individual domains was found to be statistically significant.
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Considerando a infecção pelo HIV uma condição crônica e de alta prevalência no ambiente carcerário, este estudo objetivou analisar os desafios relacionados à regularidade no uso da terapia antirretroviral (TARV) pelas pessoas vivendo com HIV em unidades prisionais (UP) da região de Ribeirão Preto (RP), São Paulo. Tratase de um estudo descritivo, do tipo inquérito. Foram incluídos indivíduos reclusos há mais de seis meses, com diagnóstico de HIV e em uso de TARV. Utilizou-se um banco de dados contendo variáveis sociodemográficas, clínicas e de acompanhamento dos casos; adesão à TARV e ações desenvolvidas pelas equipes de saúde das UP para o monitoramento da ingestão medicamentosa. Os dados foram analisados por meio de técnicas descritivas e testes de associação (Quiquadrado e Exato de Fisher). Identificou-se 67 indivíduos em uso de TARV, dos quais, 80,6% cumpriam pena em regime fechado e 38,8% possuíam de dois a cinco anos de clausura. Houve o predomínio de homens (79,1%); 25 a 39 anos (52,2%); não brancos (64,2%); solteiros (47,8%); ensino fundamental I e II (67,1%); possuíam profissão (88,1%) e ganhavam de um a três salários mínimos (50,7%) antes da reclusão. Quanto ao perfil clínico e de acompanhamento: 44,8% diagnosticaram HIV na prisão; 86,6% faziam acompanhamento em serviço de assistência especializada em HIV (SAE); 41,7% interromperam o tratamento em algum momento; 31,3% possuíam TCD4+ acima de 500 cópias e em 62,7% a carga viral era indetectável. Identificou-se o uso de drogas ilícitas (71,6%) e lícitas (80%) prévias ao encarceramento. Em relação ao atraso na entrega da TARV, 70,3% referiram nunca ou quase nunca ocorrer tal situação; 42,2% referiram nunca ou quase nunca perderem consultas nos SAE; 79,1% informaram que nunca ou quase nunca recebem os resultados dos exames laboratoriais processados fora das UP. Sobre o questionamento acerca do uso da TARV nos últimos sete dias: 76,1% tomaram medicamentos fora do horário; 80,6% deixaram de tomar medicamentos; 91% tomaram menos ou mais compridos. Em 58,2% dos casos houve retirada regular da TARV junto às unidades dispensadoras de medicamentos situadas na rede pública de saúde de Ribeirão Preto. Quanto às ações desenvolvidas dentro das UP voltadas ao monitoramento da TARV, considerou-se regular apenas o questionamento sobre o uso contínuo dos medicamentos, sendo que as demais foram insatisfatórias. A adesão à TARV apresentou associação estatisticamente significante com o sexo feminino (p=0,028); o uso de drogas lícitas (p=0,006) e a interrupção do acompanhamento médico (p=0,014) estiveram associadas à não adesão. Os achados deste estudo permitem refletir sobre a complexidade da assistência prestada às pessoas que vivem com HIV/aids no ambiente prisional, principalmente no que tange o monitoramento do uso da TARV, sinalizando a necessidade de desenvolvimento e incorporação de estratégias de intervenção que qualifiquem a produção do cuidado em saúde na perspectiva integral e resolutiva, capaz de produzir impactos condizentes com os desafios que perpassam a prevenção e o manejo do HIV
Considering that the HIV/aids infection constitutes a chronic condition with high prevalence in prisons, this study aimed to analyze the challenges related to regularity in the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) by people living with HIV in prisons (UP) in the region of Ribeirão Preto (PR), São Paulo. This is a descriptive, inquiry-type study. We included individuals who had been incarcerated for more than six months, diagnosed with HIV/aids and using ART. We used a database containing sociodemographic and clinical information and variables on the case follow-up, ART adherence and actions developed by PU health teams to monitor drug intake. Data were analyzed using descriptive techniques and association tests (Chi-square and Fisher's Exact). A total of 67 individuals using ART were identified, of whom 80.6% were in closed regime and 38.8% had two to five years of incarceration. There was a predominance of men (79.1%); 25 to 39 years old (52.2%); non-white (64.2%); single (47.8%); elementary education I and II (67.1%); having a profession (88.1%) and earning one to three minimum wages (50.7%) before incarceration. In regard of the clinical and follow-up profile: 44.8% had HIV diagnosed in prison; 86.6% were attending a specialized HIV care service (SAE); 41.7% discontinued treatment at some point of time; 31.3% had TCD4+ over 500 copies and in 62.7% of participants the viral load was undetectable. The use of illicit drugs (71.6%) and licit drugs (80%) prior to incarceration was also identified. Regarding delays in ART delivery, 70.3% reported that a delayed delivery never or almost never occurred; 42.2% reported that they never or almost never miss appointments in SAE; 79.1% reported that they never or almost never receive the results of laboratory tests processed outside the PU. Regarding the use of ART in the last seven days: 76.1% took medicines outside medication time; 80.6% stopped taking medicines; 91% took a higher or a lower dosage. In 58.2% of the cases, the withdrawal of ART from the drug dispensing units located in the public health network of RP was regular. Regarding the actions developed within the PUs aimed at ART monitoring, the questioning about the continuous use of the drugs was assessed as regular and the others were unsatisfactory. Adherence to ART had a statistically significant association with woman (p = 0.028). The use of licit drugs (p = 0.006) and interruption of medical follow-up (p = 0.014) were associated with non-adherence. The findings of this study allow us to reflect on the complexity of care provided to people living with HIV/aids in prisons, especially regarding the monitoring of ART, suggesting the need for development and incorporation of strategies that qualify the health care delivery towards an integral and resolutive perspective, capable of producing impacts that are consistent with the challenges of HIV prevention and management
Subject(s)
Humans , Male , Female , Adult , Prisons , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome/epidemiology , Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active , Delivery of Health Care/organization & administrationABSTRACT
Objective@#To analyze factors influencing antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients receiving ART at the town level in Ili Kazakh Autonomous Prefecture (Ili) in May 2015 and to document enhanced ART for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) cases.@*Methods@#A cross-sectional survey was conducted using one-on-one interviews and data collection from the system of AIDS follow-up management in three ART services centers at the town level of Ili. The subjects were HIV-infected individuals, aged 18 years or older, who were receiving ART during the survey. The surveys collected demographic characteristics, information related to ART and status of engaging ART, smoking and drinking behavior, depression, and quality of life.@*Results@#A total of 412 participants completed the survey. The age was (41.1±8.0) years (range, 19-67 years). Approximately 60.9% (251) were male and 39.1% (161) were female. The survey showed that 75.0% (309) of participants were in good adherence and the P50 (P25, P75) of quality of life was 56.31 (50.55, 59.42). Females demonstrated better adherence to ART (82.6% (n=133)) than males (70.1% (n=76)) (χ2=8.16, P=0.005). The compliance rate of participants (78.0% (n=54)) with depression was higher than non-depressed participants (63.5% (n=255)) (χ2=7.52, P=0.008). Multivariate logistic regression analyses showed that the probability of good adherence to ART increased with increasing quality of life (OR=1.06, 95%CI:1.02-1.09). Moreover, participants who consumed alcohol or disclosed their HIV infection status to families were less likely to have good adherence to ART (OR=0.26, 95% CI:0.13-0.53 and OR=0.31, 95% CI:0.13-0.72, respectively). Additionally, employed participants were also less likely to have good adherence to ART compared with unemployed participants (OR=0.45, 95% CI:0.21-0.97).@*Conclusion@#HIV/AIDS patients primarily showed good adherence to ART. Factors related to ART adherence included alcohol consumption, informing family of infection, work status, and quality of life.
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Considerando a infecção pelo HIV uma condição crônica e de alta prevalência no ambiente carcerário, este estudo objetivou analisar os desafios relacionados à regularidade no uso da terapia antirretroviral (TARV) pelas pessoas vivendo com HIV em unidades prisionais (UP) da região de Ribeirão Preto (RP), São Paulo. Tratase de um estudo descritivo, do tipo inquérito. Foram incluídos indivíduos reclusos há mais de seis meses, com diagnóstico de HIV e em uso de TARV. Utilizou-se um banco de dados contendo variáveis sociodemográficas, clínicas e de acompanhamento dos casos; adesão à TARV e ações desenvolvidas pelas equipes de saúde das UP para o monitoramento da ingestão medicamentosa. Os dados foram analisados por meio de técnicas descritivas e testes de associação (Quiquadrado e Exato de Fisher). Identificou-se 67 indivíduos em uso de TARV, dos quais, 80,6% cumpriam pena em regime fechado e 38,8% possuíam de dois a cinco anos de clausura. Houve o predomínio de homens (79,1%); 25 a 39 anos (52,2%); não brancos (64,2%); solteiros (47,8%); ensino fundamental I e II (67,1%); possuíam profissão (88,1%) e ganhavam de um a três salários mínimos (50,7%) antes da reclusão. Quanto ao perfil clínico e de acompanhamento: 44,8% diagnosticaram HIV na prisão; 86,6% faziam acompanhamento em serviço de assistência especializada em HIV (SAE); 41,7% interromperam o tratamento em algum momento; 31,3% possuíam TCD4+ acima de 500 cópias e em 62,7% a carga viral era indetectável. Identificou-se o uso de drogas ilícitas (71,6%) e lícitas (80%) prévias ao encarceramento. Em relação ao atraso na entrega da TARV, 70,3% referiram nunca ou quase nunca ocorrer tal situação; 42,2% referiram nunca ou quase nunca perderem consultas nos SAE; 79,1% informaram que nunca ou quase nunca recebem os resultados dos exames laboratoriais processados fora das UP. Sobre o questionamento acerca do uso da TARV nos últimos sete dias: 76,1% tomaram medicamentos fora do horário; 80,6% deixaram de tomar medicamentos; 91% tomaram menos ou mais compridos. Em 58,2% dos casos houve retirada regular da TARV junto às unidades dispensadoras de medicamentos situadas na rede pública de saúde de Ribeirão Preto. Quanto às ações desenvolvidas dentro das UP voltadas ao monitoramento da TARV, considerou-se regular apenas o questionamento sobre o uso contínuo dos medicamentos, sendo que as demais foram insatisfatórias. A adesão à TARV apresentou associação estatisticamente significante com o sexo feminino (p=0,028); o uso de drogas lícitas (p=0,006) e a interrupção do acompanhamento médico (p=0,014) estiveram associadas à não adesão. Os achados deste estudo permitem refletir sobre a complexidade da assistência prestada às pessoas que vivem com HIV/aids no ambiente prisional, principalmente no que tange o monitoramento do uso da TARV, sinalizando a necessidade de desenvolvimento e incorporação de estratégias de intervenção que qualifiquem a produção do cuidado em saúde na perspectiva integral e resolutiva, capaz de produzir impactos condizentes com os desafios que perpassam a prevenção e o manejo do HIV
Considering that the HIV/aids infection constitutes a chronic condition with high prevalence in prisons, this study aimed to analyze the challenges related to regularity in the use of antiretroviral therapy (ART) by people living with HIV in prisons (UP) in the region of Ribeirão Preto (PR), São Paulo. This is a descriptive, inquiry-type study. We included individuals who had been incarcerated for more than six months, diagnosed with HIV/aids and using ART. We used a database containing sociodemographic and clinical information and variables on the case follow-up, ART adherence and actions developed by PU health teams to monitor drug intake. Data were analyzed using descriptive techniques and association tests (Chi-square and Fisher's Exact). A total of 67 individuals using ART were identified, of whom 80.6% were in closed regime and 38.8% had two to five years of incarceration. There was a predominance of men (79.1%); 25 to 39 years old (52.2%); non-white (64.2%); single (47.8%); elementary education I and II (67.1%); having a profession (88.1%) and earning one to three minimum wages (50.7%) before incarceration. In regard of the clinical and follow-up profile: 44.8% had HIV diagnosed in prison; 86.6% were attending a specialized HIV care service (SAE); 41.7% discontinued treatment at some point of time; 31.3% had TCD4+ over 500 copies and in 62.7% of participants the viral load was undetectable. The use of illicit drugs (71.6%) and licit drugs (80%) prior to incarceration was also identified. Regarding delays in ART delivery, 70.3% reported that a delayed delivery never or almost never occurred; 42.2% reported that they never or almost never miss appointments in SAE; 79.1% reported that they never or almost never receive the results of laboratory tests processed outside the PU. Regarding the use of ART in the last seven days: 76.1% took medicines outside medication time; 80.6% stopped taking medicines; 91% took a higher or a lower dosage. In 58.2% of the cases, the withdrawal of ART from the drug dispensing units located in the public health network of RP was regular. Regarding the actions developed within the PUs aimed at ART monitoring, the questioning about the continuous use of the drugs was assessed as regular and the others were unsatisfactory. Adherence to ART had a statistically significant association with woman (p = 0.028). The use of licit drugs (p = 0.006) and interruption of medical follow-up (p = 0.014) were associated with non-adherence. The findings of this study allow us to reflect on the complexity of care provided to people living with HIV/aids in prisons, especially regarding the monitoring of ART, suggesting the need for development and incorporation of strategies that qualify the health care delivery towards an integral and resolutive perspective, capable of producing impacts that are consistent with the challenges of HIV prevention and management
Subject(s)
Humans , Prisons , Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome , Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly ActiveABSTRACT
With the rapid scale-up in use of antiretroviral therapy (ART), monitoring the quality of care and factors that may lead to emergence of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) is an important focus point for programme managers. The National AIDS Control Organisation of India embarked on strengthening the ART programme for continuous quality improvement (CQI), using defined quality-of-care indicators (QCIs), including World Health Organization (WHO) early-warning indicators (EWIs) for HIVDR. In this feasibility study, done during July 2014, an integrated QCI and EWI tool developed by WHO India was pilot tested across 18 purposively selected ART centres. At seven ART centres, the EWI 1 target of >90% on-time pill pick-up was achieved for adult patients, while among the paediatric age group (<15 years old) it was not achieved by any centre. EWI 2 (retention of patients in ART care at 12 months after initiation) showed that two centres had retention of both adult and paediatric patients of >85% at 12 months of ART, while 11 centres had retention between 75% and 85%. EWI 3 (pharmacy stock-out) for adult and paediatric patients showed that 11 ART centres reported a minimum of one stock-out for the first-line ART drugs in the reporting period, while EWI 4 targets (pharmacy dispensing practices) were achieved by all the centres, for both adults and children. Average retention in care at 6, 12 and 24 months after ART initiation was 82%, 77% and 71%, respectively. This feasibility study showed that EWI analyses were much simpler to conduct if information was sought only for patients receiving ART, for whom the quality of record-keeping is better and more consistent. The activity has highlighted the need for improved quality of recordkeeping at the facilities and implementation of specific interventions to ensure better patient follow-up. After modifications, use of the tool will be phased in across all the ART centres in India.
ABSTRACT
Background: India has rapidly scaled up its programme for antiretroviral therapy (ART). There is high potential for the emergence of HIV drug resistance (HIVDR), with an increasing number of patients on ART. It is not feasible to perform testing for HIVDR using laboratory genotyping, owing to economic constraints. This study piloted World Health Organization (WHO) early-warning indicators (EWIs) for HIVDR, and quality-of-care indicators (QCIs), in four ART clinics in Pune city. Methods: A retrospective study was conducted in 2015, among four ART clinics in Pune city, India. The data on four standardized EWIs (EWI 1: On-time pill pickup, EWI 2: Retention of patients in ART care at 12 months after initiation, EWI 3: Pharmacy stock-out, EWI 4: Pharmacy dispensing practices) and three QCIs (QCI 1: Regularity in CD4 testing in patients taking ART, QCI 2: Percentage of patients initiating ART within 30 days of medical eligibility, QCI 3: Percentage of patients initiating ART within 30 days of initiation of anti-tuberculosis therapy) were abstracted into WHO Excel HIV data abstractor tools, from the patient records from April 2013 to March 2014. Results: All four ART clinics met the EWI 4 target (100%) for ART dispensing practices. The target for EWIs on-time pill-pick (EWI 1 >90%) and pharmacy stockouts (EWI 3: no stock-outs, 100%) were achieved in one clinic. None of the clinics met the EWI 2 target for retention in care at 12 months (>90%) and the overall retention was 76% (95% confidence interval: 73% to 79%). The targets for QCI 1 and QCI 2 (>90% each) were achieved in one and two clinics respectively. None of the clinics achieved the target for QCI 3 (>90%). Conclusion: ART dispensing practices (EWI 4) were excellent in all clinics. Efforts are required to strengthen retention in care and timely pill pick-up and ensure continuity of clinic-level drug supply among the programme clinics in Pune city. The clinics should focus on regularity in testing CD4 count and timely initiation of ART.
ABSTRACT
Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) prevents disease progression, and the emergence of resistant mutations. It also reduces morbidity, and the necessity for more frequent, complicated regimens which are also relatively more expensive. Minimum adherence levels of 95% are required for treatment success. Poor adherence to treatment remains a stumbling block to the success of treatment programs. This generates major concerns about possible resistance of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) to the currently available ARVs. This paper aims to describe baseline results from a cohort of 242 Malaysian patients receiving ART within the context of an intervention aimed to improve adherence and treatment outcomes among patients initiating ART. A single-blinded Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial was conducted between January and December, 2014 in Hospital Sungai Buloh. Data on socio-demographic factors, clinical symptoms and adherence behavior of respondents was collected using modified, pre-validated Adult AIDS Clinical Trials Group (AACTG) adherence questionnaires. Baseline CD4 count, viral load, weight, full blood count, blood pressure, Liver function and renal profile tests were also conducted and recorded. Data was analyzed using SPSS version 22 and R software. Patients consisted of 215 (89%) males and 27 (11%) females. 117 (48%) were Malays, 98 (40%) were Chinese, 22 (9%) were Indians while 5 (2%) were of other ethnic minorities. The mean age for the intervention group was 32.1 ± 8.7 years while the mean age for the control group was 34.7 ± 9.5 years. Mean baseline adherence was 80.1 ± 19.6 and 85.1 ± 15.8 for the intervention and control groups respectively. Overall mean baseline CD4 count of patients was 222.97 ± 143.7 cells/mm³ while overall mean viral load was 255237.85 ± 470618.9. Patients had a mean weight of 61.55 ± 11.0 kg and 61.47 ± 12.3 kg in the intervention and control groups, respectively. Males account for about 90% of those initiating ART in the HIV clinic, at a relatively low CD4 count, high viral load and sub-optimal medication adherence levels at baseline.
Subject(s)
Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly ActiveABSTRACT
Background & objectives: National Anti-retroviral treatment (ART) programme in India was launched in 2004. Since then, there has been no published country representative estimate of suboptimal adherence among people living with HIV (PLHIV) on first line ART in public settings. Hence a multicentric study was undertaken in 15 States of India to assess the level of suboptimal adherence and its determinants among PLHIV. Methods: Using a prospective observational study design, 3285 PLHIV were enrolled and followed up to six months across 30 ART centres in India. Adherence was assessed using pill count and self-reported recall method and determinants of suboptimal adherence were explored based on the responses to various issues as perceived by them. Results: sSuboptimal adherence was found in 24.5 per cent PLHIV. Determinants of suboptimal adherence were illiteracy (OR-1.341, CI-1.080-1.665) , on ART for less than 6 months (OR-1.540, CI- 1.280-1.853), male gender (OR for females -0.807, CI- 0.662-0.982), tribals (OR-2.246, CI-1.134-4.447), on efavirenz (EFA) regimen (OR- 1.479, CI - 1.190 - 1.837), presence of anxiety (OR- 1.375, CI - 1.117 - 1.692), non-disclosure of HIV status to family (OR- 1.549, CI - 1.176 - 2.039), not motivated for treatment (OR- 1.389, CI - 1.093 - 1.756), neglect from friends (OR-1.368, CI-1.069-1.751), frequent change of residence (OR- 3.373, CI - 2.659 - 4.278), travel expenses (OR- 1.364, CI - 1.138-1.649), not meeting the PLHIV volunteer/community care coordinator at the ART center (OR-1.639, CI-1.330-2.019). Interpretation & conclusions: To enhance identification of PLHIV vulnerable to suboptimal adherence, the existing checklist to identify the barriers to adherence in the National ART Guidelines needs to be updated based on the study findings. Quality of comprehensive adherence support services needs to be improved coupled with vigilant monitoring of adherence measurement.