Treatment Outcomes for HIV Patients on Three HAART Regimens in South East Nigeria: A Comparative Study

Chinyerem Cynthia Nwachukwu^1, , Ifeoma Anne Njelita¹, Gabriel Ifeanyi Eyisi¹, Chijioke Amara Ezenyeaku², Amaechi Chinedu Nwachukwu³, Obioma Okechi⁴ and Anthony Agbata⁵

¹Department of Community Medicine and Primary Health Care, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Awka, Nigeria

²Department of Community Medicine and Primary Health Care, Nnamdi Azikiwe University, Nnewi, Nigeria

³Department of Surgery, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Awka, Nigeria

⁴Department of Pathology, Abia State University, Nigeria

⁵Department of Histopathology, Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu University, Awka, Nigeria

Cite this paper

Chinyerem Cynthia Nwachukwu, Ifeoma Anne Njelita, Gabriel Ifeanyi Eyisi, Chijioke Amara Ezenyeaku, Amaechi Chinedu Nwachukwu, Obioma Okechi and Anthony Agbata. Treatment Outcomes for HIV Patients on Three HAART Regimens in South East Nigeria: A Comparative Study. American Journal of Public Health Research. 2023; 11(2):75-83. doi: 10.12691/AJPHR-11-2-6

Abstract

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) attacks the body’s immune system and is responsible for a major public health problem. Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) is key to its management. This study aimed at evaluating and comparing the clinical and virological outcomes of three HAART regimens - TLD, TLE and TL/LPV/r. Number of participants was 330 patients (110 in each group). Data were analysed and compared between groups. A 5-parameter scoring system was used to compare the performance of the regimens. Overall mean age was 44.7 (±10.7) years. Normal BMI 138 (41.8%), overweight (33.3%), obese (20.9%) and underweight (3.9%). Normal hemoglobin level, 194 (58.8%). Mean baseline CD4 count was 389.9 ± 293.7. Adherence to TLD (90.0%), TLE (89.1%), TL/LPVr (62.7%). TLD group showed the most clinical improvement with the most patients in stage 1 after one year, 108 (99.1%). Viral suppression at 6 months for TLD (86.4%), TLE (86.4%), TL/LPVr (50.0%) and at 12 months, TLD (90.0%), TLE (91.8%), TL/LPVr (88.2%). The difference in viral suppression between the TLD/TLE and TL/LPVr groups was statistically significant (p < 0.001). Factors associated with WHO clinical stage 1 at 6 months were age ≥35 years with TLD and female sex for TLE; and with viral suppression at 6 months were good adherence with TLD and TL/LPVr and female sex with TLE. For all patients collectively, good adherence was significantly associated with viral suppression at 6 months and 1 year. Predictor of WHO stage 1 at 6 months was female sex, OR 0.483 (95% CI 0.238 – 0.980). For predictors of viral suppression at 6 months, good adherence had the highest odds ratio, OR 6.911 (95% CI 3.768 – 12.676), being currently married OR 1.826 (95% CI 1.036 – 3.217). TLD performed best with a score of 14, TLE 13, TL/LPVr 5, out of a maximum score of 15.

Keywords

HIV, treatment, clinical, virological, outcomes, HAART, dolutegravir

Copyright

This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License. To view a copy of this license, visit http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

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