Characteristics and treatment outcomes of elderly people on antiretroviral therapy at two community health centres and a primary care facility, Potchefstroom, South Africa
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Date
2020
Authors
Rabe, Mareike
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Abstract
Background: South Africa (SA) has a high Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) burden
but little is known of older people living with HIV (PLWH). Its growth rate is accelerating in
this age group and could put more strain on dwindling resources. Studies have been done in
other provinces, but the North-West Province (NWP) has a paucity of information on HIV for
this age group.
Objectives: This study aimed to describe characteristics and comorbidities of older people
living with HIV in Potchefstroom. Viral load (VL) suppression was evaluated and relationships
between patient characteristics and outcomes were explored.
Methods: A descriptive, retrospective file review was done. Descriptive statistics were
described and associations between patient characteristics and treatment outcomes were
explored. Statistically significant associations were tested in a logistic regression model.
Results: Out of 191 patients, female patients were in the majority (58.1%), < 70 years old
(87.4%) and had been on antiretroviral therapy (ART) for ≤ 10 years (74.4%). Most patients
were on first line ART (82.7%) and had VL suppression (81.9%). Hypertension was the most
common comorbidity (55.5%). A high recent CD4 cell count (≥ 350 cells/mm3) had positive
relationships with suppressed VL (OR 2.3, p = 0.037), first line ART (OR 2.78, p = 0.041) and
treatment duration ≥ 5 years (OR 3.15, p = 0.009)
Conclusion: There was room for improving the level of VL suppression in this cohort. More
research is needed in older PLWH in the NWP so as to direct resources to optimise their well-
being.
Description
A research report submitted in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Medicine in Family Medicine to the Faculty of Health Science, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, 2020