Human immunodefciency virus associated pulmonary conditions leading to hospital admission and the pulmonary rehabilitation services received by patients at two central hospitals in Harare

Abstract

Objective: Use of highly active antiretroviral therapy has led to marked reductions in the incidence of HIV-associated\nopportunistic infections but has had comparatively less impact on the incidence of some pulmonary diseases. This\nstudy was done to determine the pulmonary conditions leading to hospital admissions in people living with HIV/AIDS\nat two central hospitals in Zimbabwe and the pulmonary rehabilitation intervention received.\nResults: A total of 92 participants were recruited of which 60 (65.2%) were females. The mean age of the participants\nwas 41.3 years (SD = 9.1). The most common pulmonary condition leading to hospital admission was tuberculosis\nin 53 (57.6%). About 52 (56.6%) of the participants suffered from pulmonary complications in the last 6 months, 48\n(92.3%) were admitted and 26 (50.0%) of the participants received physiotherapy treatment during their admission.\nNone of the participants indicated that they once attended an outpatient pulmonary rehabilitation clinic. Respiratory\ncomplication is one of the leading causes of morbidity associated with HIV but no pulmonary rehabilitation services\nare being offered to these patients. There is need for introduction of pulmonary rehabilitation programs for people\nliving with HIV/AIDS in the current setting.