Adherence to ARV, Clinical Stages of AIDS, and Self-Perceived Risk of HIV Infection are Predictors of Immunologic Success on PLHIV in Surabaya and Sidoarjo, East Java

Abstract

Background

People living with HIV (PLHIV) are very dependent on the antiretroviral therapy (ART) during their lifetime, and CD4 cell count is an indicator of ART effectiveness. The objective of this study is to determine the predictors of the immunologic success on PLHIV at Dr. Ramelan Naval Hospital, Surabaya and Sidoarjo Regency General Hospital. Methods: This research was conducted on 29 PLHIV at Dr. Ramelan Naval Hospital, Surabaya and Sidoarjo Regency General Hospital. All subjects had taken ART for six months. CD4 count, ART card and questionnaires were used in the study. The data was analysed using multiple linear regression with SPSS version 21.0. Results: 92.9% subjects were from the key population aged 20-54 years. 73.9% subjects were in the second clinical stage of AIDS, 68.9% subjects reported high adherence (≥ 95%) to ART, 24.1% subjects were not aware of the risk of getting HIV infection when having sexual intercourse without using a condom. The results of the multiple linear regression analysis showed there were six predictors of immunologic success: adherence to ART (p = 0.047), clinical stages of AIDS (p = 0.004) and the awareness of getting HIV infection when having sexual intercourse without using a condom (p = 0.045). Conclusion:Monitoring adherence to ART, clinical condition and condom use were very important to achieve immunologic success.

Keywords: PLHIV, absolute CD4 cell count, adherence to ART, clinical stages of AIDS, condom use