Virology & Mycology
Open Access
ISSN: 2161-0517
+44 1223 790975
ISSN: 2161-0517
+44 1223 790975
Gebrehiwot Teklay, Befikadu Legesse and Mebratu Legesse
Posters-Accepted Abstracts: Virol-mycol
Background: Highly active anti-retroviral therapy is the cornerstone of management of patients with human immunodeficiency virus infection. Antiretroviral therapy can prolong survival of patients however this drugs are associated with adverse effects that can affect patient adherence and if severe may require regimen change. The aim of the study is to assess the prevalence of anti-retroviral associated adverse effects and management strategies undertaken among patients taking anti-retroviral therapy in Jimma University Specialized Hospital. Methods: A retrospective review of patient medical records (2009-2011) was done to assess adverse effects associated with anti-retroviral therapy. A sample of 403 patient medical records was selected using systematic random sampling method. Data was collected using structured data abstraction format. Data were entered into SPSS windows version 16 and Chi-square test was used to analyze factors associated with adverse effects. P-value of less than 0.05 was considered as statistical significant. Results: About 65.5% of patients had developed at least one adverse effect to anti-retroviral drugs. The most commonly encountered adverse effects were gastrointestinal and central nervous system effects. Severe side effects that resulted in high rate of regimen switch and discontinuation included anemia, peripheral neuropathy, rash and hepatotoxicity. Conclusion: Majority of patients taking anti-retroviral therapy experienced mild to severe adverse effects in the course of treatment which can affect the patient treatment outcome. Thus close monitoring of toxicities considering the risk-benefit ratio of continuing, switching or discontinuation of treatment is critical.