Background: Globally, 38 million people were estimated to be living with HIV/AIDS with over 25.4 million accessing antiretroviral therapy which has proven effective and efficacy in reducing morbidity and mortality in these people. CD4+ count and viral are used to monitor clinical and diagnostic progression of patients on antiretroviral treatment. Patient responses and clinical diagnostic measures to ART show differences based on individual and population characteristics. The aim of this study was to determine predictors of change in CD4+ count and viral load among HIV patients receiving antiretroviral therapy at Bugando Medical centre.
Methodology: This study was a cross sectional prospective study which was conducted at Bugando Medical Centre care and treatment clinic involving all HIV positive patients aged 18 years and above. Data was analysed using Statistical package for social science version 20 and results was presented in the table and figures.
Results: A total of 384 with a median age of participated in this study. Majority were females (65.1%) and married (54.0%). Three hundred and forty three participants (98.3%) showed positive change in CD4+ count and 296 (84.6%) showed positive viral load change. Positive change in CD4+ and viral load was seen in 343 (98.0%) and 296 (84.6%) participants respectively. The change in CD4+ count was significantly associated with early initiation of ART (P-0.039) and age (P-0.05).
Conclusion: The change of CD4+ count and viral load among HIV/AIDS patients on ART was significant to majority of participants where majority of them had raised level of CD4+ count and decreased viral load copies. Predictors which were described to be associated with these changes were early initiation of ART and age.