Chronic comorbidities in persons living with HIV within three years of exposure to antiretroviral therapy at Pantang Antiretroviral Center in Ghana: a retrospective study
Martha Kotey, Yakubu Alhassan, James Adomako, Godwin Nunoo-Mensah, Farzana Kapadia, Bismark Sarfo
Abstract
Introduction: uptake of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and retention in care are associated with increased life expectancy but increased the risk of comorbid conditions in persons living with HIV (PLWH) and taking antiretroviral drugs. This study describes comorbid conditions among PLWH in Ghana. Methods: PLWH (n=222) out of a sample population of 900, randomly selected at Pantang ART Center participated in the study from June to July of 2020. Socio-demographic characteristics, HIV biomarkers, medication type and adherence, and diagnostic confirmed chronic conditions were extracted from medical records of PLWH. Cox proportional-hazard models and Kaplan-Meier curves graphing risk of experiencing comorbid conditions were performed. Log-rank test was performed at p<0.05. Results: , WHO clinical stages III and IV, and ART non-adherence. Conclusion: understanding the types of comorbidities in PLWH is integral to providing feedback to primary care providers to monitor.