Mortality among HIV/AIDS in-patients on admission in a tertiary hospital in Nigeria

Abstract

Background: HIV/AIDS is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Nigeria and the disease has led to a sharp increase in the admission rate in many hospitals especially those offering care to those infected. The emergence of Highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART) has also reduced the risk of mortality in patients diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, who are adherent to therapy. The University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) is a tertiary centre which is also a treatment centre catering for over 7000 People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWA). Objective: To determine the mortality rate and causes of death of admitted patients with HIV/AIDS at UBTH in the HAART era. Methodology: The study was carried out over a one year period from January 2003-December 2004 .All patients admitted to the medical wards of the University of Benin Teaching Hospital with a confirmed diagnosis of HIV/AIDS aged 15 years and above were admitted in the study. Data analysis was done using frequency tables, means and proportions.

Results
Of the 174 patients admitted in the wards with a confirmed diagnosis of HIV/AIDS during the study period, 49 died, giving a crude death rate of 28.2 %. The male to female ratio was 1.9:1. The age group most affected was the 30-39 age group both in males and females. The highest cause of death was AIDS (18.4%) followed by severe anaemia (12.2%).Others include gastroenteritis (8.2%) pulmonary tuberculosis with anemia,(8.2%),CNS Toxoplasmosis (8.2%). The major factors leading to these deaths were late presentation to hospital, poor adherence to therapy and financial insolvency.More effort needs to be directed at voluntary counseling and testing, public enlightenment to facilitate prevention and early presentation, and adherence counseling for those on treatment. These will reduce the high mortality rate in the HAART era.

Keywords: Mortality, Human immunodeficiency virus, Benin City.