Epidemiology: Open Access

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Survival Rates of HIV Patients on Antiretroviral Therapy in the Kumba Health District: A Six-Year Retrospective Cohort Study from 2008 To 2013

Achangwa Chiara, Fomboh Richard, Abel Wilson Wickelema

Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) has clearly been shown to be effective in reducing mortality amongst those who remain on treatment and adhere to therapy. Recently, in developing countries where the burden of HIV/AIDS is high, ART has become more available. The outcome of patients with HIV/AIDS has improved dramatically since 1996 for those who have access to the appropriate treatment. This study was carried out to determine the survival rates of HIV/AIDS patients on antiretroviral therapy in the Kumba Health District. A six –year retrospective cohort study involving collection of point of care data from 2008 to 2013 was carried out to assess the survival rate of HIV patients on treatment in the HIV/AIDS treatment centers in the Kumba Health District. The study was carried out in two phases. Phase one assessed the quality of data and phase two involved collection of data from the ARV registers. It was found that the Kumba Health District place a total of 5421 (1524 males, 3897 females) on ARV treatment. An overall data quality score of 72.4% was observed. The overall loss to follow up rate was 18.19%, males having higher loss to follow up rate (27.62%) compared to females (13.99%). Females had a higher five-year survival rate (76.64%) compared to males (65.6%). The five year survival rate was highest in the age-group 31-45 years (77.0%) and least in the age group 0-15 years (47.1%). It was observed that 73.23% of the patients survived five years after initiation into treatment. Earlier initiation on ART through expanded testing and counselling should be encouraged in HIV-infected patients in order to increase the survival rate.