DOI: 10.36347/sjams.2017.v05i02.073

Pages: 672-676

Till 2015, an estimated 36.7 million people lived with HIV (UNAIDS (2015) 'Global Report 2015') and up to 44% in 2015 are under cover of ART Programme. Highly Active Anti-Retroviral Therapy (HAART) has led to a significant reduction in AIDS related morbidity and mortality. Unfortunately, up to 25% of patients discontinue their initial HAART therapy because of opportunistic infections, Adverse Drug Reactions (ADRs) and noncompliance. According to the Annual Report 2015-16, Odisha has shown an estimated adult HIV prevalence in the range of 0.21– 0.25%. In view of increasing epidemic trend in seven states of the country including Odisha, there is an urgent need to draw the attention of the policy and programme managers towards the effectiveness of the ongoing ART medication. Aim of the study was to evaluate the efficacy of ART therapy in terms of improvement in CD4 count and WAB (Working, Ambulatory, and Bedridden) status of the patients in this Centre. CD4 count was measured at 6 months interval up to 18 months in patients on ART. 48.51% patients had CD4 count between 50-200 cells/cmm at initial visit and 44.55% patients had CD4 count > 500cells/cmm at final (4th) visit. Majority of patient having CD4 count >500 reflects patients improved on ART therapy. There was also a significant improvement in functional status. But, 51.48% of patients had to change to a new ART regimen for treatment failure. Therefore time to time surveillance of such patients is needed for early detection and prevention of ADRs to HAART. Further, assessment of risk factors associated with treatment failure, compliance, adverse effects and follow up of patients for a longer duration is needed to interpret the effectiveness of any ART Programme.