Outcomes of Antiretroviral Treatment Program At Referral Teaching Hospital in North West Ethiopia

Outcomes of Antiretroviral Treatment Program at Referral Teaching Hospital in North West Ethiopia

Mamo Wubshet, Yemane Berhane, Alemayehu Worku, Yigzaw Kebede, Ermias Diro

 Abstract

Background: Ethiopia has aggressively scaled up free AIDS treatment and access since 2005. The program has benefited large number of patients who otherwise could not get access to such therapy. However poor retention in the program is a very serious issue.

Method: A retrospective study was conducted to describe the long term antiretroviral treatment outcomes of adult AIDS patients at the University of Gondar Hospital ART clinic. Data were collected from patient cards. All adults, non pregnant, AIDS patients enrolled in the treatment program from 1 March 2005 to 30 August 2010 were eligible for the study. We performed survival analysis to determine the retention in care.

Results: A total of 4500 patients were enrolled in the ART program between March 2005 and August 2010.  At the end of the 66 months of the program initiation 60.26 % of patients were retained on treatment, 7.17% had died, 18.39% lost to follow-up, and  14.28% transferred to other facilities. About 60% of deaths and 69% of lost to follow-ups occurred in the first year of treatment. The median survival time for death is 8.5 months (IQR 3.8-17.6).

Conclusion: Early deaths and lost to follow-up significantly reduce retention of patients to AIDS care in the first year of treatment. Strengthening patient monitoring in the first year can help reduce the death toll and increase retention.