Application of paired student t-test on impact of Anti-retroviral therapy on CD4 cell count among HIV Seroconverters in serodiscordant heterosexual relationships: A case study of Nyanza region, Kenya.

Abstract

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection leads to rise in HIV-RNA resulting in CD4 T-cell decline leading to AIDS-related illness. Knowing the effect of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) on CD4 cell count is vital in assessing the progression of the disease and treatment planning for treatment.  This study sought to apply paired t-test distribution to assess the effect of CD4 cell count just before and after initiation of ART among HIV infected individuals. The target populations were HIV sero-converters enrolled in a prospective randomized placebo controlled trial in Nyanza region, Kenya.  CD4 cell count was measured at the time of sero-conversion and subsequently after very six months of follow up. Participants were referred for initiation of ART at patient support centre once the criteria for initiation was met and report back the ART regime they were put on and the date they were started on .  We applied paired t-test to assess the change in CD4 cell count after initiating ART. Use of ART within a median time of 9 months resulted rise in CD4 cell count by 241 cells per ul, 95% CI (60-422) which confirms the effect of ART in protecting depletion of CD4 cell count.

Keywords: Sero-converters, Progression, ART, HIV, CD4 cells, t-test.