Abstract

Even though the use of ART has brought a significant reduction in the mortality and morbidity of patients living with HIV/AIDS, a number of patients still die after the start of ART. This study was aimed at identifying factors associated with mortality among adult HIV infected patients who are on ART in HQEMM Hospital. The data for the study was obtained from HQEMM Hospital ART clinic. The HIV infected patients 15 years of age and who were under ART from March 2009 up to May 2015 were included in the study. Logistic regression model was employed to analyze the data to identify factors associated with Mortality of HIV infected patients. A total of 400 adult HIV infected patients who were taking ART were included in the study. Out of these patients, 18.75% of them died. The results obtained from logistic regression analysis showed that age, level of education, alcohol, baseline weight, TB status, and baseline CD4 count were significant factors of mortality of HIV infected patients taking ART in HQEMM Hospital. Patients with no education were more likely to die than those who attended at least primary school. Patients who drink alcohol were also more likely to die than those who do not. Health workers need to support those patients with no or little education by continuous awareness creation of taking care of themselves and knowing what factors facilitate death. Patients who drink alcohol need to be given advice to reduce excessive drinking. 

Keywords

mortality, HIV, logistic regression model