Abstract

SPECTRUM AND ASSOCIATED RISK FACTORS OF OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS AMONG ANTIRETROVIRAL THERAPY EXPERIENCED HIV/AIDS PATIENTS IN ADDIS ABABA, ETHIOPIA.

Mebrahtu Eyasu*, Abreham Berhane, Semere Yohannes

ABSTRACT

Background: HIV/AIDS patients are developing opportunistic infections (OIs). Hence, this study aimed to determine the prevalence of OIs and associated risk factors (RFs) among HIV/AIDS patients receiving the first- and second-line antiretroviral drugs therapy. Methodology: Hospital based analytical cross-sectional study design was used to determine the prevalence of OIs and to identify associated risk factors for their occurrence in HIV/AIDS patients. For data collection, pre-tested structured questionnaire and chart review methods were applied. To determine the associated RFs for OIs, bivariate and multiple analysis logistic regression models were used. Data were analyzed by using SPSS version 20 statistical software. P-value ≤ 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Results: Out of 442 patients, the overall of prevalence of OIs was 183(41.4%). Candidiasis, bacterial pneumonia, and upper respiratory infections were predominant OIs identified with prevalence of (n= 43/442, 9.7%), (n=39/442, 8.8%), and (n=25/442, 5.7%), respectively. Clinical risk factors identified were: traditional medicine use (AOR (95% CI)=2.044(1.096-3.814), P=0.025); lack of knowledge on OIs (AOR (95% CI)= 1.783(1.014-3.134), P=0.045); WHO Stage (III-IV) (baseline) (AOR (95% CI) = 2.660(1.432-4.939), P=0.002); first-line current drug regimen (AOR (95% CI) =1.937(1.067-3.516), P=0.030); poor ARV adherence status (AOR (95% CI)= 4.088(1.041-16.053), P=0.044); current CD4+

Keywords: Ethiopia, first-line ARV drugs, HIV/AIDS, Opportunistic infections, second-line ARV drugs, co-trimoxazole.