Incidence and predictors of loss to follow-up among adults on antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia: a systematic review and meta-analysis of cohort studies.

BackgroundPeople living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) are frequently confronted with severe social issues such as rejection, abandonment, criticism, and stigma. This would negatively affect their quality of life. Several studies have been conducted so far to assess factors affecting the health-related quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS who are on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Ethiopia. However, to our knowledge, there is no previous study that has summarized the results of the studies that investigated health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among PLWHA in Ethiopia. Therefore, the purpose of this review was to estimate the pooled prevalence of HRQOL and its association with social support among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) on ART in Ethiopia.MethodsA systematic search was carried out using several electronic databases (PubMed, Science Direct, Web of Science, and Cochrane electronic), Google Scholar, Google, and a manual search of the literature on health-related quality of life among people living with HIV/AIDS who are on ART. A Microsoft Excel data extraction sheet was used to extract pertinent data from an individual study. To assess the heterogeneity of primary articles, the Cochrane Q test statistics and the I2 test were carried out, and a random effects meta-analysis was used to estimate the pooled prevalence of HRQOL.ResultOut of the 493 articles reviewed, ten with a total of 3257 study participants were eligible for meta-analysis. The pooled prevalence of HRQOL among people living with HIV/AIDS who are on antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia was 45.27%. We found that strong perceived social support was significantly associated with higher levels of subjectively perceived HRQOL. PLWHA who were on ART and had good social support were four times more likely to report higher HRQOL when compared to their counterparts [AOR = 4.01, 95% CI 3.07–5.23].ConclusionA substantial number of PLWHA had poor HRQOL in Ethiopia. Social support was significantly associated with HRQOL among people living with HIV/AIDS. Hence, it’s recommended to encourage suitable intervention at every follow-up visit, and psycho-social support is also warranted to improve the quality of life.

ObjectiveThis study aimed to pool the prevalence of virological failure and associated factors.DesignSystematic review and meta-analysis.Primary outcome measurePrevalence of virological failure.Secondary outcome measureFactors affecting virological failure.AnalysisThe extracted data were exported...

BackgroundOver 420,000 people have initiated life-saving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Ethiopia; however, lost-to-follow-up (LTFU) rates continues to be high. A clinical decision tool is needed to identify patients at higher risk for LTFU to provide individualized risk prediction to intervention. Therefore, this study aimed to develop and validate a statistical risk prediction tool that predicts the probability of LTFU among adult clients on ART.MethodsA retrospective follow-up study was conducted among 432 clients on ART in Gondar Town, northwest, Ethiopia. Prognostic determinates included in the analysis were determined by multivariable logistic regression. The area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) and calibration plot were used to assess the model discriminative ability and predictive accuracy, respectively. Individual risk prediction for LTFU was determined using both regression formula and score chart rule. Youden index value was used to determine the cut-point for risk classification. The clinical utility of the model was evaluated using decision curve analysis (DCA).ResultsThe incidence of LTFU was 11.19 (95% CI 8.95–13.99) per 100-persons years of observation. Potential prognostic determinants for LTFU were rural residence, not using prophylaxis (either cotrimoxazole or Isoniazid or both), patient on appointment spacing model (ASM), poor drug adherence level, normal Body mass index (BMI), and high viral load (viral copies > 1000 copies/ml). The AUROC was 85.9% (95% CI 82.0–89.6) for the prediction model and the risk score was 81.0% (95% CI 76.7–85.3) which was a good discrimination probability. The maximum sensitivity and specificity of the probability of LTFU using the prediction model were 72.07% and 83.49%, respectively. The calibration plot of the model was good (p-value = 0.350). The DCA indicated that the model provides a higher net benefit following patients based on the risk prediction tool.ConclusionThe incidence of LTFU among clients on ART in Gondar town was high (> 3%). The risk prediction model presents an accurate and easily applicable prognostic prediction tool for clients on ART. A prospective follow-up study and external validation of the model is warranted before using the model.

This study was aimed at developing a risk score prediction model for bacteriologically confirmed tuberculosis (TB) among adults with HIV receiving antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia. An institutional-based retrospective follow-up study was conducted among 569 adults with HIV on ART. We used demographic and clinical prognostic factors to develop a risk prediction model. Model performance was evaluated by discrimination and calibration using the area under the receiver operating characteristic (AUROC) curve and calibration plot. Bootstrapping was used for internal validation. A decision curve analysis was used to evaluate the clinical utility. Opportunistic infection, functional status, anemia, isoniazid preventive therapy, and WHO clinical stages were used to develop risk prediction. The AUROC curve of the original model was 87.53% [95% confidence interval (CI): 83.88-91.25] and the calibration plot ( P -value = 0.51). After internal validation, the AUROC curve of 86.61% (95% CI: 82.92-90.29%) was comparable with the original model, with an optimism coefficient of 0.0096 and good calibration ( P -value = 0.10). Our model revealed excellent sensitivity (92.65%) and negative predictive value (NPV) (98.60%) with very good specificity (70.06%) and accuracy (72.76%). After validation, accuracy (74.85%) and specificity (76.27%) were improved, but sensitivity (86.76%) and NPV (97.66%) were relatively reduced. The risk prediction model had a net benefit up to 7.5 threshold probabilities. This prognostic model had very good performance. Moreover, it had very good sensitivity and excellent NPV. The model could help clinicians use risk estimation and stratification for early diagnosis and treatment to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

Background: Treatment failure (TF) among patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) against human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) impacts on treatment outcome and is becoming a public health concern globally. However, magnitude of TF and factors leading to it are poorly defined in the context of Ethiopia. Thus, the aim of this study was to determine the magnitude of TF and assess its determinants among HIV-infected patients on ART in Ethiopia. Methods: A prospective and retrospective study was conducted from March 2016 to 2017. Retrospective clinical and laboratory data were captured from patients’ medical record. Socio-demographics and explanatory variables of participants were collected using pre-tested structured questionnaire and study participants were followed for additional 6 month after baseline viral load has been done to classify virologic failure (VF). Multiple logistic regression was conducted to assess risk factors associated with TF. Statistical significance was set at P-value less than 0.05. Results: A total of 9,284 adults taking ART from a nationally representative 63 health facilities were included in the study. Viral Load Suppression (VLS) (VL1000 copies/ml at baseline of the study were re-suppressed after six months of enhanced adherence and counseling, leading TF among population on ART in Ethiopia to be 983 (11%). Immunologic and clinical failure was significantly improved from 21.5% and 16.5% at ART initiation to 576 (6.2%) and 470 (5.0%) at baseline of the study, respectively. Medication adherence, disclosure of HIV status, missed appointment to ART, history of ART exposure prior to initiation, residency and marital status had significant association with TF. Conclusions: The high level of VLS (88.1%) could explain the success of ART program in Ethiopia towards achieving the UNAIDS global target on viral suppression. TF among population taking ART in Ethiopia is still a public health concern, since 11% of virally failed population is maintained on failed first-line regimen. However, a significant improvement on immunologic and clinical outcome after ART initiation was maintained. Close follow-up of medication adherence, ensuring disclosure of HIV status, regular appointment follow-up to ART could significantly improve the treatment outcome of population on ART in Ethiopia.

The aim of this study was to evaluate HIV-1 drug resistance among patients failing first-line antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia. A total of 699 adults infected with HIV (aged ≥15 years) who failed first-line Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) were recruited between 2017 and 2019 from 63 ART-providing sites in Ethiopia. Treatment failure was defined as patients with two consecutive viral loads (VLs) ≥1000 copies/mL within six months of follow-up. The pol gene region of HIV-1 was amplified and sequenced using an in-house assay of the Chinese Center for Disease Prevention and Control. The Stanford HIVDB v9.0 algorithm was used for identification of resistance mutations. Resistance mutations were characterized according to the 2019 International AIDS Society-USA mutation list. P values of <0.05 were considered statistically significant during multivariate analysis, which was done using SPSS v26.0 (SPSS Inc., Chicago, IL). Overall, HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) among patients failing first-line therapy in Ethiopia was 77.8%. Non-nucleoside/tide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) and NRTI resistance were 75.7% and 71.2%, respectively. Neverapine (NVP) and Efavirenz (EFV) accounted for 74.2% and 60.8% of HIVDR, respectively. About half (48.1%) of NRTI-associated mutations were responsible for Abacavir resistance, while 34% were responsible for multi-NRTI resistance. Mutations responsible for resistance to the commonly used EFV and NVP accounted for 62.9%, while resistance to Etravirine, Doravirine, and Rilivirine, which were not part of the country's ART program, were 37.1%, and can be explained by cross-resistance within the drug class. Protease Inhebitor(PI)associated resistance was detected in only 1.6% of the study's participants. The most common mutations identified were M184V (30.1%), K103N (18.7%), Y181C (13.6%), and K65R (12.1%). In a multivariate logistic regression analysis, predictors of HIVDR were prior ART exposure (adjusted odds ratio [AOR]=2.3; 95% confidence interval [CI]=1.8, 3.6), absence of HIV status disclosure (AOR=2.05; 95%CI=1.26, 3.35), CD4 count of ≤200 cells/mm3 (AOR=1.94; 95%CI=1.21, 3.12), and bedridden status (AOR=4.16; 95% CI=3.21, 5.16). The high-levels of HIVDR among patients with failure of first-line ART in Ethiopia calls for individualized HIVDR testing. Mutations associated with multi-NRTI and NNRTI cross-resistance may alert the program for considering drugs of higher genetic barrier targeting protease and other regions. Patients with low CD4 count and those who are bedridden should be given special attention for the potential development of HIVDR during clinical management.

Achieving viral load suppression is crucial for the prevention of complications and deaths related to HIV infection. Ethiopia has embraced the worldwide 95-95-95 target, but there is no national representative information regarding virological suppression. Therefore, this review aims to determine the pooled virological suppression rate and identify the pooled effect of contributing factors of viral suppression for HIV-positive patients on antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia. We systematically searched websites and databases, including online repositories, to obtain primary studies. Two reviewers assessed the quality of the included articles using the Newcastle-Ottawa Scale appraisal checklist. Publication bias was checked using Egger's regression test, the heterogeneity of the studies was assessed using I2 statistics and Q statistics, and a sensitivity analysis was performed to identify any outlier results in the included studies. The Der Simonian Laird random-effects model was used to estimate the overall proportion of viral suppression, and STATA 17 statistical software was used for all types of analysis. A total of 21 eligible articles primarily conducted in Ethiopia using HIV program data were used for this quantitative synthesis. The overall pooled virological suppression rate was 71% (95% CI, 64%-77%). The pooled effects of poor adherence to ART (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 0.33; 95% CI, 0.28-0.40), body mass index (18.5-24.9 kg/m2; AOR, 1.8; 95% CI, 1.37-2.36), disclosure (AOR, 1.41; 95% CI, 1.05-1.89), absence of opportunistic infection (AOR, 1.68; 95% CI, 1.43-1.97), and high baseline viral load count (AOR, 0.65; 95% CI, 0.52-0.81) were identified as significant predictors of viral suppression. The overall pooled percentage of virological suppression was low compared with the global target of viral suppression and the Ethiopian Public Health Institute report. Poor adherence, normal body mass index, disclosure, absence of opportunistic infection, and high baseline viral load count were factors contributing to viral suppression in Ethiopia. Responsible stakeholders should maximize their efforts to achieve the global target of virological suppression by addressing significant predictors.

Introduction Depression is the most common mental health problem in people living with the human immune virus. It ranges from 11% to 63% in low- and middle-income countries. Depression was high in people living with HIV/AIDS in developing countries, especially in the Ethiopian context. Even though depression has negative consequences on HIV-positive patients, the care given for depression in resource-limited countries like Ethiopia is below the standard in their HIV care programs. Method International databases (Google Scholar, PubMed, Hinari, Embase, and Scopus) and Ethiopian university repository online have been covered in this review. Data were extracted using Microsoft Excel and analyzed by using the Stata version 14 software program. We detected the heterogeneity between studies using the I2 test. We checked publication bias using a funnel plot test. Results The overall pooled depression prevalence among adult HIV/AIDS patients attending antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia was 36.3% (95% CI: 28.4%, 44.2%) based on the random effect analysis. Adult HIV/AIDS patients having CD4count < 200(AOR = 5.1; 95% CI: 2.89, 8.99), widowed marital status (AOR = 3.7; 95% CI: 2.394, 5.789), medication nonadherence (AOR = 2.3; 95% CI: 1.63, 3.15), poor social support (2.986) (95% CI: 2.139, 4.169), perceived social stigma (2.938) (2.305, 3.743), opportunistic infections (3.010) (2.182, 4.151), and adverse drug reactions (4.013) (1.971, 8.167) were significantly associated with depression among adult HIV/AIDS patients on antiretroviral therapy, in Ethiopia. Conclusion and Recommendation. The pooled depression prevalence among adult HIV/AIDS patients attending antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia was higher than the general population and is alarming for the government to take special consideration for HIV-positive patients. Depression assessment for all HIV-positive patients and integrating with mental health should be incorporated to ensure early detection, prevention, and treatment. Community-based and longitudinal study designs mainly focusing on the incidence and determinants of depression among adult HIV/AIDS patients should be done in the future.

Background: High rates of disease progression and HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) among adults taking highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) in Sub-Saharan Africa were previously documented. However, children were generally not considered despite their greater risk. Hence, this study was aimed to evaluate HIV-1 disease progression and drug resistance mutation among children on first-line antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia. Method: A longitudinal study was conducted among 551 HIV-positive children (<15 years old) recruited between 2017 and 2019 at 40 antiretroviral treatment delivery sites in Ethiopia. Disease progression was retrospectively measured over a 12-year (2007-2019) follow-up as the progress towards immunosuppression. Two consecutive viral load (VL) tests were conducted in 6-month intervals to assess virologic failure (VF). For children with VF, HIV-1 genotyping and sequencing was performed for the pol gene region using in-house assay validated at the Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Stanford HIVDB v9.0 algorithm was used for identification of drug resistance mutations. The Kaplan-Meier analysis and Cox proportional hazards regression model were used to estimate the rate and predictors of disease progression, respectively. Results: The disease progression rate was 6.3 per 100 person-years-observation (95% CI = 4.21-8.53). Overall immunosuppression (CD4 count < 200 cells/mm3) during the 12-year follow-up was 11.3% (95% CI = 7.5-15.1). Immunosuppression was significantly increased as of the mean duration of 10.5 (95% CI = 10.1-10.8) years (38.2%) to 67.8% at 12 years (p < 0.001). Overall, 14.5% had resistance to at least one drug, and 6.2% had multi-drug resistance. A resistance of 67.8% was observed among children with VF. Resistance to non-nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTI) and nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI) drugs were 11.4% and 10.1%, respectively. Mutations responsible for NRTI resistance were M184V (30.1%), K65R (12.1%), and D67N (5.6%). Moreover, NNRTI-associated mutations were K103N (14.8%), Y181C (11.8%), and G190A (7.7%). Children who had a history of opportunistic infection [AHR (95% CI) = 3.4 (1.8-6.2)], vitamin D < 20 ng/mL [AHR (95% CI) = 4.5 (2.1-9.9)], drug resistance [AHR (95% CI) = 2.2 (1.4-3.6)], and VF [AHR (95% CI) = 2.82 (1.21, 3.53)] had a higher hazard of disease progression; whereas, being orphan [AOR (95% CI) = 1.8 (1.2-3.1)], history of drug substitution [(AOR (95% CI) = 4.8 (2.1-6.5), hemoglobin < 12 mg/dL [AOR (95% CI) = 1.2 (1.1-2.1)] had higher odds of developing drug resistance. Conclusions: Immunosuppression was increasing over time and drug resistance was also substantially high. Enhancing routine monitoring of viral load and HIVDR and providing a vitamin-D supplement during clinical management could help improve the immunologic outcome. Limiting HAART substitution is also crucial for children taking HAART in Ethiopia.

BackgroundThe risky sexual behavior of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) may impose a risk of transmitting the disease to their partners and increase Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) co-infection. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the pooled prevalence of risky sexual behavior and associated factors among PLWHA receiving [Antiretroviral Therapy (ART)] in Ethiopia.MethodsTo identify both published and unpublished research articles, systematic searches were performed in PubMed, HINARI, Medline, Science Direct, and Google Scholar databases. The review was carried out following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guideline. Cross-sectional studies reporting the prevalence of risky sexual practice and its associated factors among PLWHA receiving ART in Ethiopia were included. Two authors independently extracted all necessary data using a standardized data extraction format prepared in Microsoft Excel and exported to STATA version 14 statistical software for further analyses. The Cochrane Q test statistics and I2 test were used to assess the heterogeneity of the studies. Since the included studies exhibited considerable heterogeneity, the random-effects meta-analysis model was computed to estimate the pooled prevalence of risky sexual practice which was determined by dividing the total number of PLWHA with risky sexual practice practices by the total number of PLWHA on ART in the study and multiplied by 100. Furthermore, pooled odds ratio (OR) with 95% confidence interval (CI) was determined for the association between determinant factors and risky sexual practice.ResultIn this study, 2351 articles were identified from different databases, and fifteen articles were selected for final systematic review and meta-analysis. In Ethiopia, the pooled prevalence of risky sexual practices was 43.56% (95% confidence interval (CI):35.51, 51.62). Discussion about safe sex with sexual partner/s [AOR = 0.26, 95% CI: 0.08, 0.92] and having multiple sexual partners [AOR = 1.90, 95% CI: 0.53, 6.84] were factors significantly associated with risky sexual practice in Ethiopia.ConclusionA significant proportion of respondents engaged in risky sexual practices. Multiple sexual partners and a lack of discussion about safe sex are linked to a higher prevalence of the risky sexual practice in Ethiopia. It is critical to raise awareness about safe sexual practices during health education and counselling services and to encourage clients to freely discuss safer sex practices with their sexual partner/s at their antiretroviral therapy (ART) appointments as part of their follow-up care.Protocol registrationThe protocol for this systematic review and meta-analysis was registered at PROSPERO (record ID = CRD42021274600, 25 September 2021).

BackgroundEven though there are advancements in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment approach, HIV continues to be a global challenge. Pediatrics HIV is one of the challenges in the reduction of child mortality particularly in less developed countries like Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aims to estimate the pooled proportion of child mortality and the effect of hemoglobin level and CD4 cell count among children on antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia.MethodAll published were articles searched using PubMed, EMBASE, Google Scholar, and Web of Science database. Besides, Ethiopian institutional research repositories and reference lists of included studies were used. We limited the searching to studies conducted in Ethiopia and written in the English language. Studies that were done in a cohort, cross-sectional, and case-control study design were considered for the review. The weighted inverse variance random effects model was applied, and the overall variations between studies were checked by using heterogeneity test Higgins’s (I2). Subgroup analysis by region and year of publication was conducted. All of the included articles were assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute (JBI) quality appraisal criteria. In addition, publication bias was also checked with Egger’s regression test and the funnel plot. Based on the results, trim and fill analysis was performed to manage the publication bias.ResultA total of 16 studies with 7047 participants were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The overall pooled proportion of mortality among children on antiretroviral therapy (ART) was found to be 11.78% (95% CI 9.34, 14.23). In subgroup analysis, the highest child mortality was observed in the Amhara region 16.76 % (95% CI 9.63, 23.90) and the lowest is in the Tigray region 4.81% (95% CI 2.75, 6.87). Besides, the proportion of mortality among children with low CD4 count and hemoglobin level was 2.42 (AOR = 2.42, 95% CI 1.65, 3.56) and 3.24 (AOR = 3.24, 95% CI 1.51, 6.93) times higher compared to their counterparts, respectively.ConclusionThe proportion of mortality among children on ART was high in Ethiopia. Those children who had low CD4 cell count and low hemoglobin levels at baseline need special attention, treatment, and care.Trial registrationThe protocol of this systematic review and meta-analysis has been registered in PROSPERO with the registration number CRD42018113077.

The most common and severe cause of morbidity and mortality among HIV- positive children is opportunistic infections (OIs). All HIV-infected children are at risk of developing a variety of OIs. Healthcare workers, programmers, and other stakeholders are in doubt about using the onset and predictors of OIs among schoolchildren on antiretroviral therapy (ART) due to the presence of conflicting results found in the primary studies. Hence, this study was conducted to provide a single figure of onset and specific predictors of OIs by overcoming the existing heterogeneity in Ethiopia. The included studies were searched from different national and international databases systematically. The included studies were cohort in design and published in English between 2015 and 2022. The data were extracted using a validated Microsoft Excel tool after the quality of the included studies was assured. The extracted data were exported to Stata Version 17.0 for further management and analysis. The presence of heterogeneity across studies was checked using the Chi-square test and quantified using the I 2 test. Various methods, including forest plots, publication bias assessment, sensitivity tests, subgroup analysis, and meta-regression, were employed to determine the source of heterogeneity, but none were successful. The overall onset of OIs was estimated by pooling the incidence of primary studies using a random-effects meta-analysis model. The predictors were identified using meta-regression and the presence of significant association was declared using a p-value of 0.05 with 95% CI. The strength of association was reported using an adjusted hazard ratio with 95% CI. Eleven studies were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The onset of OIs among schoolchildren on ART in Ethiopia was 5.58 (95% CI: 4.50, 6.67) per 100 children-years of OI-free observations. Those children who had no parents had a 1.41 (95% CI: 1.10, 1.80) times higher chance of getting OIs when compared with those children having one or both parents. Children who had poor ART adherence had a 2.96 (95% CI: 1.66, 5.29) times higher chance of experiencing OIs than children who had good ART adherence. Finally, the chance of experiencing OIs among rural children was 2.15 (95% CI: 1.63, 2.83) times higher than their counterparts in Ethiopia. Three in every 33 schoolchildren on ART developed OIs in Ethiopia. Predictors of OIs included schoolchildren without parents, those with poor adherence to ART, and rural residents. This suggests that social support, medication adherence, and access to healthcare services may play important roles in preventing and controlling OIs among schoolchildren living with HIV in rural areas.

BackgroundDespite antiretroviral treatment (ART), the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to pose a considerable health burden in resource-poor countries. This systematic review and meta-analysis aimed to determine the pooled incidence density of mortality and identify potential predictors among HIV-infected children receiving ART, from studies conducted in various parts of Ethiopia.MethodsA comprehensive database search was made in Excerpta Medica, PubMed, Web of Science, African Journals Online, Google Scholar, and Scopus. We reported results following the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis 2020. Excel Spreadsheet and STATA Version 14 software were used for data abstraction and meta-analysis, respectively. Statistical heterogeneity among studies was assessed using I2 statistics. Meta-regression and subgroup analysis were performed to further explore the sources of statistical heterogeneity. Moreover, publication bias and a leave-out-one sensitivity analysis were performed.ResultsTwenty-two articles involving 8,731 participants met inclusion criteria and were included. The pooled incidence density of mortality was 3.08 (95% confidence interval (CI), 2.52 to 3.64) per 100 child years. Predictors of mortality were living in rural areas (hazard ratio (HR), 2.18 [95% CI, 1.20 to 3.98]), poor adherence to ART (HR, 2.85 [ 95% CI, 1.39 to 5.88]), failure to initiate co-trimoxazole preventive therapy (HR, 2.16 [95% CI, 1.52 to 3.07]), anemia (HR, 2.28 [95% CI, 1.51 to 3.45]), opportunistic infections (HR, 1.52 [ 95% CI, 1.15 to 2.00]), underweight (HR, 1.74 [95% CI, 1.26 to 2.41]), wasting (HR, 2.54 [95% CI, 1.56 to 4.16]), stunting (HR, 2.02 [95% CI, 1.63 to 2.51]), World Health Organization classified HIV clinical stages III and IV (HR, 1.71 [95% CI, 1.42 to 2.05]), and Nevirapine-based regimens (HR, 3.91 [95% CI, 3.09 to 4.95]).ConclusionsThis study found that the overall mortality rate among HIV-infected children after ART initiation was high. Therefore, high-level commitment and involvement of responsible caregivers, healthcare providers, social workers, and program managers are of paramount importance to identify these risk factors and thus enhance the survival of HIV-infected children receiving ART.

BackgroundReliable data on the burden of opportunistic infections (OIs) after the initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is critical for planning health services and reducing OI-related morbidity and mortality. Nevertheless, there has been no nationally representative information on the prevalence of OIs in our country. Therefore, we have undertaken this comprehensive systematic review and meta-analysis to estimate the pooled prevalence, and identify factors associated with the development of OIs in Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)-infected adults receiving ART in Ethiopia.MethodsArticles were searched in international electronic databases. A standardized Microsoft Excel spreadsheet and STATA software version 16 were used for data extraction and analysis, respectively. The Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analysis (PRISMA) checklist was used to write this report. The random-effect meta-analysis model was used to estimate the pooled effect. The statistical heterogeneity of the meta-analysis was checked. Subgroup and sensitivity analyses were also performed. Publication bias was examined in funnel plots and the nonparametric rank correlation test of Begg and the regression-based test of Egger. Association was expressed through a pooled odds ratio (OR) with a 95% Confidence Interval (CI).ResultsA total of 12 studies with 6,163 study participants were included. The pooled prevalence of OIs was 43.97% [95% CI (38.59, 49.34)]. Poor adherence to ART [OR, 5.90, 95% CI (3.05, 11.40)], under nutrition [OR, 3.70, 95% CI (2.01, 6.80)], CD4 T lymphocyte count <200 cells /μL [OR, 3.23 95% CI (2.06, 5.07)], and advanced World Health Organization (WHO) HIV clinical stages [OR, 4.84 95% CI (1.83, 12.82)] were determinants of OIs.ConclusionThe pooled prevalence of OIs among adults taking ART is high. Poor adherence to ART, under nutrition, a CD4 T lymphocyte count <200 cells /μL, and advanced WHO HIV clinical stages were factors associated with the development of OIs.

BackgroundDespite significant efforts to enhance access to antiretroviral therapy (ART), opportunistic infections among children on ART remain a major concern in low-income countries, including Ethiopia. Currently, there are no pooled estimates of opportunistic infections incidence among children on ART in Ethiopia. Consequently, this review aimed to determine the pooled incidence and identify the predictors of opportunistic infections among children under 15 years of age on ART, addressing the existing information gap.MethodsThis systematic review followed the PRISMA guidelines, and relevant studies were obtained from the PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus, EMBASE, and Google Scholar databases. Data analysis for pooled estimates of incidence and predictors of opportunistic infections was conducted via STATA 17 software with random-effects model. Heterogeneity was evaluated via Cochrane's Q-test and the I2 statistic, and publication bias was assessed through funnel plots and Egger's test.ResultsOf the 5,631 studies identified, 20 studies involving 9,196 participants were included in the meta-analysis. The pooled incidence of opportunistic infections among children under 15 years of age on antiretroviral therapy was 5.61 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 4.37–6.86), based on 36,716.4 person-years of observation. Predictors of opportunistic infections included advanced WHO clinical stage (HR 1.45, 95% CI: 1.35–1.55), poor ART adherence (HR 1.49, 95% CI: 1.35–1.63), lack of isoniazid (HR 1.56, 95% CI: 1.40–1.74) and cotrimoxazole preventive therapy (HR 1.56, 95% CI: 1.38–1.66), malnutrition (HR 1.50, 95% CI: 1.34–1.67), and severe immunosuppression (HR 1.39, 95% CI: 1.27–1.51).ConclusionThe incidence of opportunistic infections in this review was high, highlighting the need for intensified efforts to achieve the 2030 target. Moreover, advanced WHO clinical stage, poor adherence, lack of isoniazid and cotrimoxazole preventive therapy, malnutrition, and severe immunosuppression were identified as predictors of opportunistic infections. This suggests that early initiation of ART, regular nutritional assessments, intensive follow-up and monitoring, and a multidisciplinary approach need be prioritized to address the identified predictors.