title: Management of common adverse effects in the era of highly active antiretroviral therapy in south east Ethiopia.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The combination of antiretroviral therapy is the corner stone of management of patients with human immune deficiency virus infection. Although antiretroviral therapy can reduce viral load to undetectable level, improve the immunity and prolong survival of patients, antiretroviral drugs are associated with many adverse effects that may be severe and affect patient adherence and quality of life.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to assess management strategies under taken in patient's experienced common adverse effects of highly active antiretroviral therapy in Goba Hospital antiretroviral clinic.
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross sectional study of patient record chart of patients who had follow-up during data collection period was done followed by patient interview. Data was filled on well structured questionnaire and analyzed using SPSS for window version 16.0.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The common adverse effects were Rash (48.8%), Peripheral neuropathy (36.9%) and Anemia (20.24%). The rate of management was 39.3%. Pyridoxine (36.8%) was commonly prescribed drug for management of Peripheral neuropathy. Chlorphenarimine gel and Iron gluconate were common drugs for management of Rash and Anemia respectively. Use of traditional healers (57.7%) was leading reason for non-management.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Rate of management for common adverse effect is low. Education should be given on adverse effects for patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Pharmacy, College of Public Health and Medical Science, Jimma University, Jimma, Oromia, Ethiopia.
authors.forename: Sadikalmahdi Hussen
authors.initials: SH
authors.lastname: Abdella
authors.forename: Nasir Tajure
authors.initials: NT
authors.lastname: Wabe
authors.forename: Elias Ali
authors.initials: EA
authors.lastname: Yesuf