TITLE:
Clinical Profile of People Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus Starting Treatment in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo
AUTHORS:
Grace Ipaya Booto, Stéphanie Mauwa Selenge, Berry Ikolanga Bongenya, Thérèse Kaseka Ntumba, Lambert Omombo Losenga, Noëlla Makela Dikati, Rosalie Djamba Dembo, Jocelyn Ewuti Nonga, Candide About Kabamba, Benoit Obel Kabengele, Marie-Thérèse Ayanne-Safi Sombo, Guy Makila-Mabe Bumoko, Erick Ntambwe Kamangu
KEYWORDS:
Clinical Profile, PLHIV, ART Initiation, Kinshasa
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Access Library Journal,
Vol.9 No.9,
September
30,
2022
ABSTRACT: Context: For several decades, the introduction of AntiRetroViral (ARV) has allowed an improvement in the clinical signs of patients, a spectacular reduction in mortality and morbidity, an extension of life and an improvement in the quality of life of many People Living with HIV (PLHIV). Objective: The objective of this study was to determine the clinical profile of PLHIV starting ARV Treatment in Kinshasa in the era of Dolutegravir. Methods: This study is a descriptive cross-sectional study to determine the clinical profile of PLHIV starting ARV treatment in HIV Outpatient Treatment Centers (OTC) in Kinshasa. Thirteen OTC across the city of Kinshasa had been included in the study because of their expertise in the care of PLHIV and their accessibility after a random draw. Clinical data were recorded on worksheets previously tested by the study team. The parameters of interest for the present study were: the clinical state of the patient, the known medical history, and the previous morbidities. Results: 119 patients were included in this study. Sixty-seven patients, or 56.3%, are women, giving a sex ratio of 1.29 in favor of women. The mean age of the patients included is 39.87 ± 12.36 years. The most represented age group is that of 36 to 45 years with 37 patients (31.9%). The average temperature of the patients was 36.69°C ± 0.68°C. Forty-nine patients (41.5%) were in clinical stage 3; 55 patients (47.0%) had a normal clinical condition. The most common known medical histories are dental caries and sleep disorders (30.2%). The most common known prior morbidities are malaria (35.3%), high blood pressure and heart disease (14.7%). Conclusion: The most affected age group is that of 25 to 45 years. The majority of our patients begin treatment at WHO stage 3 with good clinical condition. Dental caries and sleep disorder (30.2%) are the most found medical history. Malaria (35.3%) is the most common previous morbidity.