Opportunistic Infections and Associated Factors among HIV Infected Patients on anti-retroviral treatment at Bombo Hospital in Tanga Region, Tanzania
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Date
2022
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
African Journal of Health Sciences
Abstract
BACKGROUND
A substantive number of People Living with HIV (PLHIV) develop Opportunistic
Infections (OIs). The introduction of Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) in Tanzania led to a
significant decline in opportunistic infections and a slower progression to AIDS, but OIs are
still prevalent. This study was set to determine the magnitude of OIs and associated factors
among HIV/AIDS patients on Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) attending care and treatment
clinic at Bombo Regional Referral hospital, Tanga region.
MATERIALS AND METHODS
A cross‐sectional descriptive study was conducted on HIV/AIDS patients on ART
attending Bombo Hospital in Tanga from July to October 2019. A non-probability,
consecutive sampling technique was employed to obtain study participants. Data were
collected using available data obtained from the patients’ files, hospital record books and
interviews of study participants by using semi-structured questionnaires. Data were entered
into the computer using Excel 2013, cleaned and analysed using Epi Info version 7.2.2.6.
Any p-value of < 0.05, at a 95% confidence interval was regarded as statistically significant.
RESULTS
The study showed that out of the 360 participants, 126 cases (35.0%) of OIs were
reported. Pulmonary Tuberculosis had the highest prevalence of 18.0% among PLHIV
while other opportunistic Infections altogether contributed 17.0%. Late ART initiation
(OR=10.9, 95% CI: 6.5 – 18.3, p-value <0.001), Poor drug adherence (OR=19, 95% CI: 9.0 –
39.7, p-value <0.001), female gender (69% vs. 31%), which was however, not statistically
significant (p-value – 0.904), Informal and Primary School education (OR = 1.6, 95% CI:
1.1 – 1.6, p-value 0.04) being married (OR=2.1, 95% CI: 1.3 – 3.4, p – value 0.004) and
widowed/widower (OR=7.7, 95% CI: 1.7 – 33.7, p – value 0.007) respectively were found to
be associated with OIs to PLHIV.
CONCLUSION
The rate of OIs still high among PLHIV, Pulmonary Tuberculosis is the leading
disease with 18.0% of all OIs symptomatic patients. Delay in ART initiation after positive
test results, poor drug adherence and moderate malnutrition have been identified as major
risk factors affecting 66.0%, 70.0%, 71%of PLWHA with OIs.
We recommend early initiation of ART, Education on ART adherence and refilling
of large quantities of ARV drugs to individuals working far from their homes.
Description
Keywords
Opportunistic Infections, Early initiation of ART
Citation
Kibwengo, C.F., Kabalimu, T.K. and Sungwa, E.E., 2022. Opportunistic Infections and Associated Factors among HIV Infected Patients on Anti-Retroviral Treatment at Bombo Hospital in Tanga Region, Tanzania. African Journal of Health Sciences, 35(3), pp.252-262.