Sileshi Barasa Gelba, Surafel Fikadu, Alemawi Kindie Legesse, Hiwot Wubet, Mihret Alemu Yesuf, Wondwossen Abera, Temesgen Bizuayehu Wube
School of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Hawassa University, Hawassa, Ethiopia
Correspondence: Temesgen Bizuayehu Wube P.O. Box: 1560, Hawassa, Ethiopia
Tel +251-916-60-45-51
Email [email protected]
Background: Antiretroviral therapy has resulted in significant reductions in HIV-associated complications by recovering the CD4+ T cell count. Some patients may not be successful in attaining this result, and some may achieve it only after many years of treatment.
Objective: This study aimed to assess CD4+ T cell recovery and non-response patterns among HAART experienced HIV-positive patients at the Arsi Negelle health center.
Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study conducted among HAART experienced HIV/AIDS patients at Arsi Negelle Health Center from January 01, 2014 to January 06, 2019. Data were documented to a data retrieval form and analyzed with SPSS version 20. Linear regression analysis was used to identify predictors of CD4 count change. A P-value of < 0.05 was considered significant.
Results: The total median of CD4+ T cells increased from 257 cells/uL at the baseline to 382 cells/uL after 6 months, then to 591 cells/uL after 60 months of treatment. The non-response rate was 22.1% and 23.8% among the total study participants and children of less than 15 years, respectively. Only baseline CD4+ T cell was associated with a change in CD4+ T cell count.
Conclusion: From our study, we can conclude that CD4+ T cell count has recovered in most of the study participants after HAART initiation. The immunological non-response rate of study participants was 22.1% after 12 months on HAART and 7.2% at the end of the study.
Keywords: CD4+ T-cell recovery, immunological non-response rate, Arsi Negelle, Ethiopia
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