title: Feasibility and effectiveness of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis for HIV-1-infected adults attending an HIV/AIDS clinic in Uganda.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cotrimoxazole is recommended for prevention of opportunistic infections in symptomatic HIV patients in sub-Saharan Africa.
  
  
  METHODS
  We examined the feasibility and effectiveness of daily cotrimoxazole prophylaxis in a well-established cohort of HIV-infected adults attending clinics in Entebbe, Uganda. We compared mortality and morbidity rates for 12 months before and after the introduction of cotrimoxazole.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Between August 2000 and February 2002, 94% of cohort members were enrolled onto cotrimoxazole prophylaxis. Revisits were scheduled every 4 weeks to replenish pills; patients attended 61% of revisits. The main reasons for nonenrollment and defaulting were lack of transport, being away from home, and sickness. Drug-related adverse events, mainly itching and rash, were seen in 4% of participants. Although bacterial resistance rate to cotrimoxazole was high, the adjusted mortality incidence rate ratio was significantly reduced after the introduction of cotrimoxazole (0.76; 95% confidence interval, 0.60-0.96; P = 0.020). Overall febrile events and morbidity rates were unchanged after the introduction of cotrimoxazole, but the incidence of malaria was reduced (incidence rate ratio, 0.31; 95% confidence interval, 0.13-0.72).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cotrimoxazole prophylaxis can be introduced into routine HIV clinic activities and is associated with a reduction in overall mortality and malaria morbidity, even in an area with high bacterial resistance. These results reinforce the need for large-scale provision of cotrimoxazole prophylaxis for all HIV-positive patients in developing countries.
authors.affiliation: Medical Research Council Programme on AIDS, Uganda Virus Research Institute, Entebbe, Uganda.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Watera
authors.forename: Jim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Todd
authors.forename: Richard
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Muwonge
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Whitworth
authors.forename: Jessica
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Nakiyingi-Miiro
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Brink
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Miiro
authors.forename: Lucy
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Antvelink
authors.forename: Anatoli
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Kamali
authors.forename: Neil
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: French
authors.forename: Jonathan
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Mermin
mesh_terms: D017088:AIDS-Related Opportunistic Infections / Q000517:prevention & control*; D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000890:Anti-Infective Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D005240:Feasibility Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D014454:Uganda
chemical_list: D000890:Anti-Infective Agents; D015662:Trimethoprim, Sulfamethoxazole Drug Combination