A Retrospective Study of Characteristics of HIV Infected Individuals Opting Out from Antiretroviral Treatment under National Programme
Journal Title: Journal of Krishna Institute of Medical Sciences University - Year 2019, Vol 8, Issue 3
Abstract
Background: Retention in care is important for optimal treatment outcomes and effective positive prevention. Reports from India and other countries have mentioned various factors affecting retention but the data on 'opting out' from Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) under the National AIDS Control Programme are scanty. Aim and Objectives: To estimate prevalence and predictors for opting out from Antiretroviral Treatment among HIV infected individuals attending ART center at ICMR-National AIDS Research Institute,Pune. Material and Methods: In this retrospective study, records of individuals taking ART between January 2006 and May 2017 were reviewed. An individual who no longer wished to continue treatment with the national programme because of his/her personal choice and stopped visiting the centre was reported as being 'opted out' from the programme. Results: Of the total 3842 individuals ever initiated on ART, 115 (3%) individuals opted out. The possibility of opting out from ART was 4.9 [95% CI: 1.78-13.6, (p=0.002)] times more in individuals who showed declining trend in their CD4 counts and 8.8 [95% CI: 3.33-23.27, (p<0.001)] times more in individuals who received treatment for less than a year. Sixty four (56%) opted out individuals could not be contacted telephonically. Of the 51 (44%) individuals that were contacted, 16 replied that they will visit the clinic as per their convenience. The reasons for opting out from ART in remaining 35 patients were inconvenience for coming to the clinic in terms of distance or financial issues (13), taking treatment from private sector (10), side effects of the drugs (5), death (4) and taking treatment from other government programme clinics (3). Conclusion: Efforts should be taken to address the issues of individuals not willing to continue ART from the programme clinics (opted out). The counseling should be strengthened to prevent the individuals opting out from the treatment. The national operational guidelines for ART services need to address the issues of these individuals so that they can be brought back into the programme.
Authors and Affiliations
Manisha Ghate, Sunil Zirpe, Pallavi Shidhaye, Shraddha Gurav, Amrita Rao, Vinita Verma, Manish Bamrotiya, Kuldeep Singh Sachdeva, Radhey Shyam Gupta, Raman Gangakhedkar
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP629971
- DOI -
- Views 67
- Downloads 0
Bioactive Compound Rich Indian Spices Suppresses the Growth of β-lactamase Produced Multidrug Resistant Bacteria
Background: Multidrug Resistance (MDR) among bacteria become a global concern due to failure of antibiotics, is drawn attention for best antimicrobials from the spices which have been using ancient days in Indian culinar...
Gastric Glomus Tumour-A Rare Case Report
Gastric glomus tumour is a rare benign mesenchymal neoplasm composed of modified smooth muscle cells and neoplastic counter part of perivascular glomus body. Commonest site of glomus tumour being distal extremities (Subu...
Tissue Specific Effects of Chronic Sustained Hypoxia on Oxidative Stress: Role of Cilnidipine, a Dual L/N Type Calcium Channel Blocker
Background: Blood flow, metabolic rate and oxygen requirements of an organ guide the extent of oxidative stress experienced by any tissue in response to chronic hypoxia. Currently cilnidipine is used in the management of...
Lowe Syndrome (Oculo-cerebro-renal Syndrome of Lowe): A Case Report fromEastern India
Lowe syndrome (the oculocerebrorenal syndrome ofLowe, OCRL) is a rare X-linked recessive metabolicdisorder that primarily affects eyes, kidneys and brain.It is caused by the deficiency of enzymephosphatidylinositol 4, 5-...
Disposal of Bio-medical Waste in India