Papers by Akshaya S Bhagavathula
HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care, 2019
Purpose: In health communication, pictogram has a comprehensive place to aid attention, memory re... more Purpose: In health communication, pictogram has a comprehensive place to aid attention, memory recall, and promote adherence. This study was conducted to assess whether pictorial intervention would help to identify and improve adverse drug reactions (ADRs) reporting in an
antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic in Northwest Ethiopia.
Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study on ART-naïve HIV-positive patients was conducted from July 2015 to January 2016. The patients were randomly categorized into two groups. Group A was subjected to receive pictorial medication information and a pictogram-enhanced
tool to identify and report ADRs, while group B did not receive any pictogram-enhanced tool.
Results: A total of 207 ART-naïve HIV-positive patients who were registered for the ART treatment attending Gondar University Hospital ART clinic were included. Bivariate analysis showed that sociodemographic characteristics, such as age, sex, education, employment, and marital status were the main predictors of identifying and reporting ADRs. Males were twice more likely to identify ADRs than females. Univariate analysis revealed that patients assigned to group A showed a significant association with the ability to identify ART medications using pictograms. Patients assigned to group A were more likely to identify lamivudine (OR [95% CI] =7.536 [4.042–14.021], P≤0.001), tenofovir (OR [95% CI] =6.250 [2.855–13.682], P≤0.001),
nevirapine (OR [95% CI] =5.320 [1.954–14.484], P=0.001), efavirenz (OR [95% CI] =3.929
[1.876–8.228], P≤0.001), and zidovudine (OR [95% CI] =3.570 [1.602–7.960], P=0.002) using
pictograms. Patients in group A were 4.3 times more likely to identify diarrhea as an ADR using
pictogram compared with group B.
Conclusion: The use of pictorial representation resulted in only slight improvement in identification and reporting of ADRs among naïve HIV-positive patients with limited literacy in Northwest Ethiopia. This representation of ADRs merits further investigation with regard to ADR identification and promoting patients’ safety, particularly for HIV-positive patients with limited educational levels.
Keywords: HIV, AIDS, ADR, pictogram, Gondar, Ethiopia, HAART
Background: Anemia is highly prevalent in heart failure (HF) patients. However, the prevalence, c... more Background: Anemia is highly prevalent in heart failure (HF) patients. However, the prevalence, clinical impact and prognostic factor of anemia in heart failure patients is widely varies. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of anemia in patients with HF, to compare baseline clinical characteristic and outcomes of severe HF patients with and without anemia admitted to Gondar University Referral Hospital (GURH), Gondar, Ethiopia. Method: A retrospective cohort study was conducted and we assessed medical records of heart failure patients who were admitted Gondar University Referral Hospital in the period between December 02, 2010 and November 30, 2016. Kaplan Meier curve was used to analyze the survival status and log rank test was used to compare the curves. Multivariate Cox regression was used to analyze independent predictors of mortality in all HF patients. P value less than 0.05 was considered statistically significant. Result: Three hundred and seventy patients participated in the study. The prevalence of anemia in the study cohorts was 41.90% and majority of the participants were females (64.59%). There was a significant difference in the level of hemoglobin, creatinine, and sodium among anemic and non-anemic patients. Anemic patients with HF tend to take angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEI) less frequently. Kaplan Meier survival curves and Log rank test (P = 0. 042) showed a significant difference in the prognosis of HF patients with anemia and non – anemic. More significant difference was observed (Log rank test, P = 0.001) in the study participants based on hemoglobin level. Furthermore, multivariate Cox regression showed: advanced age, levels of lower sodium and higher creatinine, and absences of medications like ACEI and Spironolactone independently predicted overall mortality.
Background: Ethiopia is among countries with a high malaria burden. There are several studies tha... more Background: Ethiopia is among countries with a high malaria burden. There are several studies that assessed the efficacy of anti-malarial agents in the country and this systematic review and meta-analysis was performed to obtain stronger evidence on treatment outcomes of malaria from the existing literature in Ethiopia. Methods: A systematic literature search using the preferred reporting items for systematic review and meta-analysis (PRISMA) statement was conducted on studies from Pubmed, Google Scholar, and ScienceDirect databases to identify published and unpublished literature. Comprehensive meta-analysis software was used to perform all meta-analyses. The Cochrane Q and the I 2 were used to evaluate heterogeneity of studies. Random effects model was used to combine studies showing heterogeneity of Cochrane Q p < 0.10 and I 2 > 50. Results: Twenty-one studies were included in the final analysis with a total number of 3123 study participants. Treatment outcomes were assessed clinically and parasitologically using World Health Organization guidelines. Adequate clinical and parasitological response was used to assess treatment success at the 28th day. Overall, a significant high treatment success of 92.9% (95% CI 89.1–96.6), p < 0.001, I 2 = 98.39% was noticed. However, treatment success was higher in falciparum malaria patients treated with artemether–lumefantrine than chloroquine for Plasmodium vivax patients [98.1% (97.0–99.2), p < 0.001, I 2 = 72.55 vs 94.7% (92.6–96.2), p < 0.001, I 2 = 53.62%]. Seven studies reported the adverse drug reactions to anti-malarial treatment; of 822 participants, 344 of them were exposed to adverse drug reactions with a pooled event rate of 39.8% (14.1–65.5), p = 0.002. Conclusions: On the basis of this review, anti-malarial treatment success was high (92.9%) and standard regimens showed good efficacy against Plasmodium falciparum (98.1%) and P. vivax (94.7%) infections in Ethiopia, but associated with high rates of adverse drug reactions (ADRs). However, these ADRs were not serious enough to discontinue anti-malarial treatment. The results of this study suggest that the current anti-malarial medications are effective and safe; however, greater priority should be placed on the discovery of new anti-malarial drugs to achieve successful outcomes as resistance seems inevitable since cases of anti-malarial drug resistance have been reported from other areas of the world.
Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, 2015
Background: The pharmaceutical care and &amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;extended&amp;amp;amp;amp;#39... more Background: The pharmaceutical care and &amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;extended&amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; roles are still not practiced optimally by community pharmacists. Several studies have discussed the practice of community pharmacy in the UAE and have shown that most community pharmacists only counsel patients. However, UAE, has taken initiatives to allow and prepare community pharmacists to practice &amp;amp;amp;amp;#39;extended&amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; roles. Aim of the review: The aim was to review the current roles of community pharmacists in Abu Dhabi Emirate, United Arab Emirates (UAE). Objective: The objective was to encourage community pharmacists toward extending their practice roles. Methods: In 2010, Health Authority Abu Dhabi (HAAD) surveyed community pharmacists, using an online questionnaire, on their preferences toward extending their counseling roles and their opinion of the greatest challenge facing the extension of their counseling roles. Results: Following this survey, several programs have been developed to prepare community pharmacists to undertake these extended counseling roles. In addition to that, HAAD redefined the scope of pharmacist roles to include some extended/enhanced roles. Abu Dhabi Health Services (SEHA) mission is to ensure reliable excellence in healthcare. It has put clear plans to achieve this; these include increasing focus on public health matters, developing and monitoring evidence-based clinical policies, training health professionals to comply with international standards to deliver world-class quality care, among others. Prior to making further plans to extend community pharmacists&amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; roles, and to ensure the success of these plans, it is imperative to establish the views of community pharmacists in Abu Dhabi on practicing extended roles and to gain understanding and information on what pharmacists see as preferred change strategies or facilitators to change. Conclusions: In an attempt to adapt to the changes occurring and to the growing needs of patients and to maximize the utilization of community pharmacists&amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; unique structured strategies are needed to be introduced to the community pharmacy profession.
Purpose: To assess the prevalence of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor use and associated fact... more Purpose: To assess the prevalence of phosphodiesterase 5 (PDE5) inhibitor use and associated factors among University of Gondar undergraduate students. Materials and Methods: An institution-based, cross-sectional study, using a survey questionnaire, was conducted from October to December 2015 to assess PDE5 inhibitor use and associated factors among male students at the University of Gondar. A Self-Esteem and Relationship questionnaire (14 items), an International Index of Erectile Function questionnaire (15 items) and a questionnaire on PDE5 inhibitor use (14 items) were included in the survey. Results: Across all respondents (age, 21.9±1.88 years), more than half (55.7%, n=233) had heard about PDE5 inhibitors, but only 23 men (5.5%) reported trying a PDE5 inhibitor drug at least once. Older students were more likely to use PDE5 inhibitors compared to younger students (adjusted odds ratio [AOR], 1.40; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.109∼1.768). Those students who were smokers were 5.15 times more likely to use PDE5 inhibitors as compared to their non-smoking counterparts (AOR, 5.15; 95% CI, 2.096∼12.687). In addition, multivariate logistic regression showed that being in a relationship, alcohol use, greater number of cigarettes smoked per day, and more sexual partners were significantly associated with PDE5 inhibitor use. Conclusions: The prevalence of PDE5 inhibitor use among undergraduate students was 5.5%. Cigarette smoking and other substance use, older age, and greater number of sexual partners were significantly associated factors for PDE5 inhibitor use. These findings suggest that restricting access to PDE5 inhibitor drugs is essential to curtailing misuse among university students.
Introduction: Despite global efforts to eradicate poverty and
hunger, under-nutrition is still a... more Introduction: Despite global efforts to eradicate poverty and
hunger, under-nutrition is still a major health problem, especially
in Sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV/AIDS prevalence is also a
serious burden.
Aim: To assess the retention and outcomes of under-nutrition
treatment program in Gondar University Hospital, Ethiopia.
Settings and design: A cross-sectional study was conducted
in HIV positive children and adults participating in the Ready-
to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) treatment program at Gondar
University Hospital ART clinic for one year from November 2012
to November 2013.
Materials and Methods: Six hundred and thirty six patient
records were followed-up for one year. Outcome variables were
Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) values measured as
severe, moderate acute malnutrition, normal after treatment,
non-respondent, relapsed and lost to follow-up using the
hospital records of HIV positive children and adults eligible for
the program.
Statistical Analysis: Univariate and multivariate analysis
were performed to compute Crude Odds Ratio (COR) and
Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR). Statistical significance was set at
p-value<0.05.
results: Among 636 clients, 44.2% achieved MUAC measures
≥ 125 mm for children and ≥ 21 cm for adults at 4 and 6 months.
70.1% of those were children while 29.9% of the 281 were
adults. Moreover, a more positive initial response to ready-to-
use therapeutic food was found among children as there was
significant increase (p<0.05) in MUAC value after the second
month of initiating treatment while adults achieved a significant
(p<0.05, p<0.01) in MUAC at the 4th
and 6th
month respectively.
There was a significant association between age, nutrition
status and treatment outcome, while sex, HIV status, education
and residency were not associated with treatment outcome.
conclusion: Recovery and weight gain rates were below 50%.
Defaulter rates were higher than the Sphere standards and
recovery was better in children than adults. Integrated RUTF and
HIV program and strict follow-up and education or counselling
of HIV positive patients should be strengthened.
Journal of Educational Evaluation for Health Professions, 2016
This study aimed to compare the perceptions of pharmacy clerkship students and clinical preceptor... more This study aimed to compare the perceptions of pharmacy clerkship students and clinical preceptors of preceptors&amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; teaching behaviors at Gondar University. A cross-sectional study was conducted among pharmacy clerkship students and preceptors during June 2014 and December 2015. A 52-item structured questionnaire was self-administered to 126 students and 23 preceptors. The responses are presented using descriptive statistics. The Mann-Whitney U test was applied to test the significance of differences between students and preceptors. The response rate was 89.4% for students and 95.6% for preceptors. Statistically significant differences were observed in the responses regarding two of the five communication skills that were examined, six of the 26 clinical skills, and five of the 21 parameters involving feedback. The mean scores of preceptors (2.6/3) and students (1.9/3) regarding instructors&amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; ability to answer questions were found to be significantly different (P= 0.01). Students and preceptors gave mean scores of 1.9 and 2.8, respectively, to a question regarding preceptors&amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; application of appropriate up-to-date knowledge to individual patients (P= 0.00). Significant differences were also noted between students and instructors regarding the degree to which preceptors encouraged students to evaluate their own performance (P= 0.01). Discrepancies were noted between students and preceptors regarding preceptors&amp;amp;amp;amp;#39; teaching behaviors. Preceptors rated their teaching behaviors more highly than students did. Short-term training is warranted for preceptors to improve some aspects of their teaching skills.
Pharmacognosy Research, 2015
ABSTRACT Ammi visnaga is a widely distributed Ancient Egyptian medicinal plant used for treatment... more ABSTRACT Ammi visnaga is a widely distributed Ancient Egyptian medicinal plant used for treatment of several diseases including urolithiassis (kidney stones). The active chemical constituents khellin and visnagin obtained from the Ammi visnaga seeds have activity of antilithiogenic and pleiotropic. However, little is known about its activity on hypertriglyceridemia. The main aim of this review is to to explore the use of Ammi visnaga in urolethisis and to present a case of relevancy. We highlighted a case of a patient who has recurrent urethral stones and hypertriglyceridemia. The patient was treated with Ammi visnaga seeds, has recovered completely from ureteral stones and his High Density Lipoprotein (HDL)-Cholesterol low levels retained to normal after using of Ammi visnaga seeds for 10 days. The present case of Ammi visnaga seeds being local medicinal plant has shown effect in treating urolithiasis with extended effect on raising HDL-cholesterol. These results may provide insights for in vitro studies for isolation of these biologically active compounds for potential in raising HDL-cholesterol. Whether or not the later effect can have clinical utility remains to be explored.
Journal of clinical and diagnostic research : JCDR, 2015
The purpose of this study was to determine the level of workload among pharmacy academicians work... more The purpose of this study was to determine the level of workload among pharmacy academicians working in public and private sector universities in India. The study also aimed to assess the satisfaction of academicians towards their workload. A cross-sectional study was conducted for a period of 2 months among pharmacy academicians in Karnataka state of Southern India. Convenience sampling was used to select a sample and was contacted via email and/or social networking sites. Questionnaire designed by thorough review literature was used as a tool to collect data on workload (teaching, research, extracurricular services) and satisfaction. Of 214 participants, 95 returned the filled questionnaire giving the response rate of 44.39%. Private sector academicians had more load of teaching (p=0.046) and they appeared to be less involved in research activities (p=0.046) as compared to public sector academicians. More than half of the respondents (57.9%) were satisfied with their workload with...
Advances in Medical Education and Practice, 2015
Journal of Research in Pharmacy Practice, 2015
HIV/AIDS - Research and Palliative Care, 2015
Saudi Pharmaceutical Journal, 2015
Archives of Pharmacy Practice, 2013
International Journal of Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 2014
The use of herbal medicines continues to expand rapidly across world and many people show positiv... more The use of herbal medicines continues to expand rapidly across world and many people show positive interest to use herbal products for their health. The safety of herbal supplements has become a globally major concern in national and international health authorities due to increasing adverse events and adulterations. It is difficult to analyze herbal products that cause adverse events due to lack of sufficient information and expertise. Inadequate regulatory measures, weak quality control system and uncontrolled distribution channels are some of reasons that enhance the informal pharmaceutical market. In recent years, the unfulfilled desire for sex has been a subject that has aroused increasing public interest with respect to improve sexual functions. The use of herbal medicines substantially increased due to escalated prevalence and impact of sexual problems worldwide and estimates predicting the incidence to raise over 320 million by year 2025. The various reasons to use herbal supplements in men may be due to experiencing changes in erectile dysfunction (ED) due to certain medical conditions such as diabetes and hypertension and bodily changes as a normal part of life and aging. There is a lack of adequate evidence, no impetus to evaluate and absence of any regulatory obligations to undertake rigorous testing for safety and efficacy of herbal supplements before they sold over-the-counter (OTC). Pharmacovigilance on herbal supplements is still not well established. Sexual enhancing herbals are on demand in men health but informal adulteration is growing issue of concern. Recently, increase in use of herbal supplements for erectile dysfunction has laid a path for many illegal compositions. This paper explores facts and evidences that were observed in
Advances in Medical Education and Practice, 2016
To investigate the overall experiences of clinical pharmacy students during their clinical attach... more To investigate the overall experiences of clinical pharmacy students during their clinical attachments and to understand the breadth and depth of clinical skills provided by their preceptors. A cross-sectional study using a self-administered questionnaire containing 34 items to obtain feedback from the clerkship students from June to July 2015. Data analysis was performed to calculate mean, standard deviation, percentages, and multiple logistic regression using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) software Version 22. Statistical significance was set at P&lt;0.01. All 58 clerkship students actively participated in the study, yielding a response rate of 100%. While students ranked their clerkship experience as moderate, &gt;15% remarked that they did not receive enough opportunities to hone their pharmaceutical care documentation skills. A relatively high percentage of students (32.8%) strongly agreed that their preceptors had provided ample opportunity to discuss the patient problems at the bedside and encouraged them to express their opinions regarding patients&#39; drug therapeutic issues. This study also revealed that students&#39; continuity in developing their therapeutic and disease process knowledge was significantly associated with the preceptor&#39;s ability to provide adequate training and orientation (P =0.01), engagement in clinical pharmacy activities (P =0.01), regular review of students&#39; work (P =0.01), and instruction to students before entering clinical sites (P =0.00). The findings of this study reveal that a majority of the students were moderately satisfied with the clinical training program and preceptors need to demonstrate effective pharmaceutical care processes in their clinical sites.
A clinical pharmacist with pharmacovigilance responsibility can be an exciting opportunity and ch... more A clinical pharmacist with pharmacovigilance responsibility can be an exciting opportunity and challenging era whereby the expertise are crucial to successful implementation of clinical pharmacovigilance safety strategy. The responsibilities can be extremely versatile, providing scientific leadership, establishing and implementing the pharmacovigilance safety strategy and conveying in-depth awareness of the latest developments in the pharmacovigilance safety arena. This role identifies opportunities for improving the clinical practice of pharmacovigilance, enhancing current safety processes, leading a pro-active safety evaluation and risk management for pharmaceuticals which is extended to the post-marketing surveillance schemes.
he use of herbal medicines continues to expand rapidly across world and many people show positive... more he use of herbal medicines continues to expand rapidly across world and many people show positive interest to use herbal products for their health. The safety of herbal supplements has become a globally major concern in national and international health authorities due to increasing adverse events and adulteration's.
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Papers by Akshaya S Bhagavathula
antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic in Northwest Ethiopia.
Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study on ART-naïve HIV-positive patients was conducted from July 2015 to January 2016. The patients were randomly categorized into two groups. Group A was subjected to receive pictorial medication information and a pictogram-enhanced
tool to identify and report ADRs, while group B did not receive any pictogram-enhanced tool.
Results: A total of 207 ART-naïve HIV-positive patients who were registered for the ART treatment attending Gondar University Hospital ART clinic were included. Bivariate analysis showed that sociodemographic characteristics, such as age, sex, education, employment, and marital status were the main predictors of identifying and reporting ADRs. Males were twice more likely to identify ADRs than females. Univariate analysis revealed that patients assigned to group A showed a significant association with the ability to identify ART medications using pictograms. Patients assigned to group A were more likely to identify lamivudine (OR [95% CI] =7.536 [4.042–14.021], P≤0.001), tenofovir (OR [95% CI] =6.250 [2.855–13.682], P≤0.001),
nevirapine (OR [95% CI] =5.320 [1.954–14.484], P=0.001), efavirenz (OR [95% CI] =3.929
[1.876–8.228], P≤0.001), and zidovudine (OR [95% CI] =3.570 [1.602–7.960], P=0.002) using
pictograms. Patients in group A were 4.3 times more likely to identify diarrhea as an ADR using
pictogram compared with group B.
Conclusion: The use of pictorial representation resulted in only slight improvement in identification and reporting of ADRs among naïve HIV-positive patients with limited literacy in Northwest Ethiopia. This representation of ADRs merits further investigation with regard to ADR identification and promoting patients’ safety, particularly for HIV-positive patients with limited educational levels.
Keywords: HIV, AIDS, ADR, pictogram, Gondar, Ethiopia, HAART
hunger, under-nutrition is still a major health problem, especially
in Sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV/AIDS prevalence is also a
serious burden.
Aim: To assess the retention and outcomes of under-nutrition
treatment program in Gondar University Hospital, Ethiopia.
Settings and design: A cross-sectional study was conducted
in HIV positive children and adults participating in the Ready-
to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) treatment program at Gondar
University Hospital ART clinic for one year from November 2012
to November 2013.
Materials and Methods: Six hundred and thirty six patient
records were followed-up for one year. Outcome variables were
Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) values measured as
severe, moderate acute malnutrition, normal after treatment,
non-respondent, relapsed and lost to follow-up using the
hospital records of HIV positive children and adults eligible for
the program.
Statistical Analysis: Univariate and multivariate analysis
were performed to compute Crude Odds Ratio (COR) and
Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR). Statistical significance was set at
p-value<0.05.
results: Among 636 clients, 44.2% achieved MUAC measures
≥ 125 mm for children and ≥ 21 cm for adults at 4 and 6 months.
70.1% of those were children while 29.9% of the 281 were
adults. Moreover, a more positive initial response to ready-to-
use therapeutic food was found among children as there was
significant increase (p<0.05) in MUAC value after the second
month of initiating treatment while adults achieved a significant
(p<0.05, p<0.01) in MUAC at the 4th
and 6th
month respectively.
There was a significant association between age, nutrition
status and treatment outcome, while sex, HIV status, education
and residency were not associated with treatment outcome.
conclusion: Recovery and weight gain rates were below 50%.
Defaulter rates were higher than the Sphere standards and
recovery was better in children than adults. Integrated RUTF and
HIV program and strict follow-up and education or counselling
of HIV positive patients should be strengthened.
antiretroviral therapy (ART) clinic in Northwest Ethiopia.
Patients and methods: A cross-sectional study on ART-naïve HIV-positive patients was conducted from July 2015 to January 2016. The patients were randomly categorized into two groups. Group A was subjected to receive pictorial medication information and a pictogram-enhanced
tool to identify and report ADRs, while group B did not receive any pictogram-enhanced tool.
Results: A total of 207 ART-naïve HIV-positive patients who were registered for the ART treatment attending Gondar University Hospital ART clinic were included. Bivariate analysis showed that sociodemographic characteristics, such as age, sex, education, employment, and marital status were the main predictors of identifying and reporting ADRs. Males were twice more likely to identify ADRs than females. Univariate analysis revealed that patients assigned to group A showed a significant association with the ability to identify ART medications using pictograms. Patients assigned to group A were more likely to identify lamivudine (OR [95% CI] =7.536 [4.042–14.021], P≤0.001), tenofovir (OR [95% CI] =6.250 [2.855–13.682], P≤0.001),
nevirapine (OR [95% CI] =5.320 [1.954–14.484], P=0.001), efavirenz (OR [95% CI] =3.929
[1.876–8.228], P≤0.001), and zidovudine (OR [95% CI] =3.570 [1.602–7.960], P=0.002) using
pictograms. Patients in group A were 4.3 times more likely to identify diarrhea as an ADR using
pictogram compared with group B.
Conclusion: The use of pictorial representation resulted in only slight improvement in identification and reporting of ADRs among naïve HIV-positive patients with limited literacy in Northwest Ethiopia. This representation of ADRs merits further investigation with regard to ADR identification and promoting patients’ safety, particularly for HIV-positive patients with limited educational levels.
Keywords: HIV, AIDS, ADR, pictogram, Gondar, Ethiopia, HAART
hunger, under-nutrition is still a major health problem, especially
in Sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV/AIDS prevalence is also a
serious burden.
Aim: To assess the retention and outcomes of under-nutrition
treatment program in Gondar University Hospital, Ethiopia.
Settings and design: A cross-sectional study was conducted
in HIV positive children and adults participating in the Ready-
to-use Therapeutic Food (RUTF) treatment program at Gondar
University Hospital ART clinic for one year from November 2012
to November 2013.
Materials and Methods: Six hundred and thirty six patient
records were followed-up for one year. Outcome variables were
Mid-Upper Arm Circumference (MUAC) values measured as
severe, moderate acute malnutrition, normal after treatment,
non-respondent, relapsed and lost to follow-up using the
hospital records of HIV positive children and adults eligible for
the program.
Statistical Analysis: Univariate and multivariate analysis
were performed to compute Crude Odds Ratio (COR) and
Adjusted Odds Ratio (AOR). Statistical significance was set at
p-value<0.05.
results: Among 636 clients, 44.2% achieved MUAC measures
≥ 125 mm for children and ≥ 21 cm for adults at 4 and 6 months.
70.1% of those were children while 29.9% of the 281 were
adults. Moreover, a more positive initial response to ready-to-
use therapeutic food was found among children as there was
significant increase (p<0.05) in MUAC value after the second
month of initiating treatment while adults achieved a significant
(p<0.05, p<0.01) in MUAC at the 4th
and 6th
month respectively.
There was a significant association between age, nutrition
status and treatment outcome, while sex, HIV status, education
and residency were not associated with treatment outcome.
conclusion: Recovery and weight gain rates were below 50%.
Defaulter rates were higher than the Sphere standards and
recovery was better in children than adults. Integrated RUTF and
HIV program and strict follow-up and education or counselling
of HIV positive patients should be strengthened.