Prevalence of opportunistic infections among patients attending art clinic at Ruhiira Health Centre Three, Isingiro District
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Date
2017-07
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Publisher
Kampala International University, School of Allied Health Sciences
Abstract
The introduction of antiretroviral therapy (ART) has led to decline in HIV and HIV-related opportunistic infections (OIs). Knowledge of the most common OIs in Ruhiira will help in implementing the preventive measures against those particular pathogens. AIM: This study determined the prevalence of OIs among patients attending ART clinic at Ruhiira HC III, Isingiro District. METHOD: A retrospective cross-sectional study design was used. RESULTS: According to the study, a total of 105 participants were involved and out of these 62 had OIs, with majority of cases being oral thrush (24%), persistent diarrhea (18%), HSV infection (16%), recurrent bacterial pneumonia (15%), TB (11%), HZ (10%) and the least number of cases (6%) being for PPE. These were more common among females (34%) than males (25%) also among those aged between 28-38 years (32%), single as well as unemployed individuals (49%) and (85%) respectively. OIs were commonest among those with WHO HIV clinical stage 3 (74%) and 4 (100%), CD4 cell count of less than 250 cell/µl (82%), malnutrition assessed by weight for age of less than 50kg (73%), as well as low level of ART adherence <95% (100%), having multiple sexual partners (69%), alcohol intake (67%), engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse (50%), as well as cigarette smoking (40%).
CONCLUSION: In this study, the overall prevalence of OIs was high 59%, compared to studies from other researchers and the most common OIs identified were Oral thrush, persistent diarrhea, HSV infection, recurrent bacterial pneumonia, TB, HZ, and PPE. And the associated risk factors for developing OIs were identified as advanced WHO HIV clinical stage, malnutrition, and poor ART adherence, while high risk behaviors namely; having multiple sexual partners, alcohol intake, engaging in unprotected sexual intercourse, as well as cigarette smoking were also confirmed to have a positive impact on the occurrence of OIs among patients on ART at Ruhiira HC III, Isingiro District. RECOMMENDATIONS: In view of the above conclusions, the researcher recommended the following; Health education talks be given to the clients regarding staying away from the high risk behaviors as well as adhering to their ART treatment. Also further studies be done in higher health facility setting like HC IV, district hospitals as well as referrals where there are large number of clients and equipment to diagnose most OIs, are also available in these settings.
Description
A dissertation submitted to the School of Allied Health Sciences in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the award of Diploma in Clinical Medicine and Community Health of Kampala International University (Western Campus)
Keywords
Opportunistic infections, Patients, Art Clinic, Ruhiira Health Centre Three, Isingiro District