Browsing by Author "Norman, Betty"
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- ItemClinical profile and predictors of viral suppression in HIV-infected older adults at a University Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana(AIDS Care, 2022) Ayisi-Boateng Nana Kwame; Opoku, Douglas Aninng; Nkrumah, Isaac; Frempong, Bernard; Owusu, Michael; Oduro, Eric; Ampah, Brenda Abena; Konadu, Emmanuel; Norman, Betty; 0000-0002-0961-4434; 0000-0003-2321-387X; 0000-0001-5066-150XAvailability of effective antiretroviral therapy (ART) has improved patient survival and older adults (≥50 years old) constitute 10% of the world’s HIV population. However, data on this population are lacking, especially in sub-Saharan Africa. To identify the profile of older adults with HIV infection receiving ART and factors associated with viral suppression. A retrospective cross-sectional study involving HIV patients ≥50 years, registered at a University Hospital in Kumasi, Ghana from January 2010 to July 2020. All study participants had been on ARTs for ≥12 months. Data were analysed using STATA® and multivariate logistic regression was done to determine the association between variables. We recruited 132 study participants with a mean age of 58.1 years (±6.8). Non-communicable diseases (NCD) comprised the commonest comorbidity (67.4%;n = 89) and hypertension was the most prevalent (47.2%). The mean duration of ART was 63.2 months (±32.0) and approximately 84.1% (n = 111) achieved viral suppression (≤50 copies/ml). After adjustment, factors independently associated with viral suppression were widow(ed) (aOR = 0.23; 95% CI = 0.07–0.72) and good ART adherence (aOR = 3.51; 95% CI = 1.03–11.99). Hypertension is prevalent among this cohort of HIV patients. Approximately 84% of elderly patients on ARTs achieve viral suppression, influenced by widowhood and good drug adherence.
- ItemRisk of Deaths, AIDS-Defining and Non-AIDS Defining Events among Ghanaians on Long-Term Combination Antiretroviral Therapy(PLOS ONE, 2014-10-23) Phillips, Richard Odame; Sarfo, Fred Stephen; Sarfo, Maame Anima; Norman, Betty; Bedu-Addo, George; et. alCombination antiretroviral therapy (cART) has been widely available in Ghana since 2004. The aim of this cohort study was to assess the incidences of death, AIDS-defining events and non-AIDS defining events and associated risk factors amongst patients initiating cART in a large treatment centre. Clinical and laboratory data were extracted from clinic and hospital case notes for patients initiating cART between 2004 and 2010 and clinical events graded according to recognised definitions for AIDS, non-AIDS events (NADE) and death, with additional events not included in such definitions such as malaria also included. The cumulative incidence of events was calculated using Kaplan Meier analysis, and association of risk factors with events by Cox proportional hazards regression. Data were closed for analysis on 31st December, 2011 after a median followup of 30 months (range, 0–90 months). Amongst 4,039 patients starting cART at a median CD4 count of 133 cells/mm3, there were 324 (8%) confirmed deaths, with an event rate of 28.83 (95% CI 25.78–32.15) deaths per 1000-person follow-up years; the commonest established causes were pulmonary TB and gastroenteritis. There were 681 AIDS-defining events (60.60 [56.14–65.33] per 1000 person years) with pulmonary TB and chronic diarrhoea being the most frequent causes. Forty-one NADEs were recorded (3.64 [2.61–4.95] per 1000 person years), of which hepatic and cardiovascular events were most common. Other common events recorded outside these definitions included malaria (746 events) and respiratory tract infections (666 events). Overall 24% of patients were lost-to-follow-up. Alongside expected risk factors, stavudine use was associated with AIDS [adjusted HR of 1.08 (0.90–1.30)] and death (adjusted HR of 1.60 [1.21–2.11]). Whilst frequency of AIDS and deaths in this cohort were similar to those described in other sub-Saharan African cohorts, rates of NADEs were lower and far exceeded by events such as malaria and respiratory tract infections.