The THE SPECTRUM OF OPPORTUNISTIC INFECTIONS AND ASSOCIATED FACTORS AMONG PEOPLE LIVING WITH HIV/AIDS ON HIGHLY ACTIVE ANTI-RETROVIRAL THERAPY AT MERPATI CLINIC, BALI, INDONESIA: A RETROSPECTIVE STUDY

Abstract

Objective: Infections contributed to higher morbidity and mortality in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in both developed and developing countries. This study aimed to describe the spectrum of opportunistic infections (OIs) and associated factors among PLWHA on highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) at Merpati Clinic, Wangaya Regional General Hospital in Denpasar, Bali.
 Methods: This was a retrospective study. All of PLWHA, who still receiving HAART at Merpati Clinic from January 2018 to January 2020, who met inclusion and exclusion criteria, were included as subjects in this study. All data were collected through a review of the complete medical record of patients.
 Results: The prevalence of OIs in this study was 43.4%. Most PLWHA who experienced OIs were male (68.8%), age ≤40 y old with a median of age 36 y old, educational status senior high school (57.7%), married (62.1%), employed (89.7%), CD4 cell count ≥ 200 cells/µl (67.6%) and transmission route of HIV non-Intravenous (IV) drug user (99.2%). Sex, age, marital status, and CD4 cell count were significantly associated with OIs, p=0.000, p=0.005, p=0.005, and p=0.000, respectively.
 Conclusion: The commonest OI in this study was pulmonary tuberculosis. The presence of OIs was associated with sex, age of HIV diagnosis, marital status, and CD4 cell count. With the knowledge of OIs spectrum, clinicians are expected to be able to prevent, diagnose and treat OIs promptly to decrease the morbidity and mortality caused by OIs efficiently.