Adherence, Effectiveness and Safety of Dolutegravir Based Antiretroviral Regimens among HIV Infected Children and Adolescents in Tanzania

Abstract

<b>Objectives:</b>This study aimed at assessing adherence, effectiveness, and safety of DTG-based HAART regimens among HIV-infected children and adolescents in Tanzania. <b>Methods:</b> This was a single-center prospective cohort study, conducted at the pediatric HIV Clinic in Mbeya, Tanzania. A binary logistic regression model was used to determine predictors of undetectable viral load at week 24. The results were significant when P-value was <0.05. <b>Results:</b> A total of 200 patients were enrolled with the majority (85.5%) being treatment experienced. High adherence levels (71%) were observed using the pharmacy refill method. At week 24, the overall proportion of patients with undetectable viral load was 70.2%. The predictors of undetectable viral load were age, World Health Organization (WHO) clinical stage, baseline VL and adherence to pharmacy refill. <b>Conclusion:</b> The majority of patients attained undetectable viral load 6 months after using DTG based regimen. DTG-based regimens were generally safe with few ADEs reported.