Kanem Journal of Medical Sciences (Jul 2015)
PRESCRIPTION PATTERN OF FIRST LINE HAART REGIMEN AMONG TREATMENT NAÏVE HIV-INFECTED ADULTS AND ADOLESCENTS AT A TERTIARY HOSPITAL I NORTH EASTERN NIGERIA
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Rational prescription of Highly Active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) have dramatically altered the natural progression of human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection, and significantly improved the quality of life for many patients infected with the virus. OBJECTIVE: This study is aimed at analyzing the HAART prescribing patterns in newly recruited adult HAART – naïve patients at a tertiary hospital. METHODS: This is a non-experimental, quantitative retrospective review of 638 initial proscriptions of first line HAART for newly recruited adults and adolescents (greater than 15years) between January, 2011 and December, 2012 at University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH) in northeast of Nigeria. Prescription decisions were analyzed using Chi-square test and p value less 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: A total of 392 (61.40%) of the studied sample were females while 246 (38.6%) were males. The mean age and baseline CD4 count were 36.21±9.27 and 193,82±151.13 cells/µl respectively. The most commonly prescribed HAART regimen were Emtricitabine/Tenoforvir/efavirenz, (FTC/TDF/EFV) [220 (34.5%)] and Lamivudine/zidovudine/Nevirapine(3TC/AZT/NVP) [202 (31.7%)]. Most of the patients (90.9%) with Tb at initial HAART were prescribed EFV-based regimen while most of the patients (82.1%) with HBV were prescribed with 3TC/TDF–based HAART. However, 6 (20%) of the patients with Hb ≤ 7 had AZT-based regimen. CONCLUSION: Generally, Prescriptions of HAART were consistent with the recommended preferences by National guidelines for treatment of non-pregnant HAART naive adult and adolescent patients; however prescriptions of Zidovudine oriented regimen were non-adherent to recommendation in patients with baseline severe anaemia (Hb ≤ 7 ). Continuous education on treatment guideline recommendations should be emplaced
