Virologic response to antiretroviral therapy among human immunodeficiency virus-infected adults in a tertiary healthcare facility in Enugu State Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Early and sustained viral suppression with antiretroviral therapy (ART) has been linked to good clinical outcome in HIV-infected patients. The global target is that at least 90% of the patients on ART should be virally suppressed. Objectives: We assessed the virologic response to first-line ART in the first year of treatment in our center and determined the factors influencing early viral load suppression among patients. Materials and Methods: We conducted a retrospective study involving review of the records of all eligible HIV-infected adults initiated on ART in our facility between 2009 and 2014, who did not miss any follow-up appointment during the first year on ART. Data were extracted with a proforma and analyzed with Epi Info 7. Frequencies and proportions were used to summarize patients who achieved undetectable viremia (viral load 0.05). Conclusion: Three out of every four participants initiated on first-line ART achieved undetectable viremia after 24 weeks of treatment in our setting. The three ART regimens assessed have comparable effectiveness. The sociodemographic and clinical variables assessed did not influence viral suppression.

Keywords

• antiretroviral therapy
• human immunodeficiency virus
• nigeria
• viral suppression
• virologic response