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Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item: http://hdl.handle.net/1956/2132

Title:	HIV antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia : overcoming implementation challenges
Authors:	Dare, Degu Jerene
Issue Date:	16-Mar-2007
Publisher:	The University of Bergen
Abstract:	Millions of people have died of HIV during the last 25 years. The highest number of deaths occurred in poor African countries where antiretroviral therapy was introduced only recently. Treating patients in settings with limited resources continues to be a challenge. The aim of this thesis was to improve antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia. The main part of the thesis is based on a cohort of HIV infected patients at a district hospital in Ethiopia. We established the cohort before antiretroviral therapy was available in the country, and continued the follow-up afterwards. Additionally, we assessed the acceptability of HIV testing among tuberculosis patients. In untreated patients, death and tuberculosis incidence rates were high. HAART improved survival and decreased tuberculosis to a level similar to that achieved by developed countries during early years. However, both death and tuberculosis continued to occur at higher rate especially during the early weeks of treatment. Patients die because of advanced clinical disease stage and very low levels of total lymphocyte count at presentation. We also found that HIV testing was not accepted by most of the tuberculosis patients, highlighting the need for alternative and additional methods of testing more patients. Despite the limitations inherent in observational studies, the findings in this thesis provided useful data that can assist in the implementation of antiretroviral therapy in Ethiopia. To improve treatment outcomes, we need to treat patients before they progress to advanced stages. This requires improved counselling and testing practices, and making treatment available even in settings with limited laboratory setup. Future studies should examine the underlying reasons for death and mechanisms should be in place to further improve treatment outcomes.
URI:	http://hdl.handle.net/1956/2132
Appears in Collections:	Centre for International Health

Files in This Item: File Description Size Format Main Thesis_Degu J Dare.pdf Main Thesis 246,72 kB Adobe PDF View/Open Paper I_Degu J Dare.pdf MedGenMed 7(3):66, Dare, Degu Jerene; Lindtjorn, Bernt, Disease progression among untreated HIV-infected patients in South Ethiopia: implications for patient care. Copyright © 2005 Medscape. Abstract only. In order to view the entire article a one-time registration is needed, which is absolutely free of charge. http://www.medscape.com/viewarticle/508878 17,26 kB Adobe PDF View/Open Paper II_Degu J Dare.pdf AIDS Research and Therapy 3(10), Dare, Degu Jerene; Næss, Are; Lindtjorn, Bernt, Antiretroviral therapy at a district hospital in Ethiopia prevents death and tuberculosis in a cohort of HIV patients. Copyright © 2006 Jerene, et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1742-6405-4-2 337,09 kB Adobe PDF View/Open Paper III_Degu J Dare.pdf BMC Infectious Diseases 6(136), Dare, Degu Jerene; Endale, Aschalew; Hailu, Yewubnesh; Lindtjorn, Bernt, Predictors of early death in a cohort of Ethiopian patients treated with HAART. Copyright © 2006 Jerene et al; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. http://dx.doi.org/10.1186/1471-2334-6-136 289,56 kB Adobe PDF View/Open Paper IV_Degu J Dare.pdf Jerene, Degu; Endale, Aschalew; Lindtjørn, Bernt, Acceptability of HIV counselling and testing among tuberculosis patients in south Ethiopia. Preprint. Submitted to BMC International Health and Human Rights. Published by BioMed Central Ltd. 86,51 kB Adobe PDF View/Open Figures_Degu J Dare.pdf Figures 57,64 kB Adobe PDF View/Open Annexes_Degu J Dare.pdf Annexes 351,12 kB Adobe PDF View/Open

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