title: Treatment outcomes of patients on antiretrovirals after six months of treatment, Khami Clinic, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To describe treatment outcomes of patients on anti-retrovirals at six months of treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  We conducted pre-intervention post intervention surveys using a pretest-post test design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Khami Municipal Clinic, Bulawayo.
  
  
  METHODS
  We interviewed consecutive patients eligible to receive antiretroviral drugs (ARVs). All patients had a history of TB treatment and a CD4 count less than 200 cells/mm.
  
  
  METHODS
  Mean change in CD4 count, weight, body mass index, and Karnofsky performance measured before and at six months ofantiretroviral treatment.
  
  
  RESULTS
  72 subjects were interviewed at baseline, their median age was 38 years (Q1, 32 years, Q3, 43 years). Of these, 17 (24%) died before six months of treatment. Three (4%) defaulted treatment follow up. A total of 52 respondents were alive and interviewed at six months though only 50, had repeat CD4 counts at six months. Among the 50 survivors, the mean CD4 count at six months was significantly higher than at baseline (p = 0.0003). There was a 4.2 point statistical significant increase in the mean weight from baseline (p = 0.0005). Similarly, the mean Body Mass Index (BMI) significantly increased by 1.5 kg/m2 from baseline, (p = 0.001). The mean Karnofsky performance increased from 89% at baseline to 95% at six months (p = 0004). The researchers noted that patients on TB treatment were being deferred antiretroviral therapy until they completed TB treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The Khami project bears testimony that even in a resource poor setting; treatment of HIV/AIDS with antiretroviral drugs is feasible. We recommend early treatment initiation for those on TB treatment in line with national guidelines.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine, College of Health Sciences, University of Zimbabwe, P O Box A178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: R T
authors.initials: RT
authors.lastname: Ncube
authors.forename: Z
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Hwalima
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Tshimanga
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Chirenda
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Mabaera
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Apollo
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000188:drug therapy; D000328:Adult; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D018791:CD4 Lymphocyte Count; D004651:Employment / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D017567:Karnofsky Performance Status; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014505:Urban Population; D015030:Zimbabwe
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents