Hospital-based care for people living with HIV/AIDS in Ibadan, South Western Nigeria

Objective : To describe the pattern of admission-defining ailments and outcomes of care among people living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)/acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS) (PLWHA) who presented for treatment at a tertiary health care institution in Nigeria. Methods We reviewed the hospital records of all patients admitted for AIDS and AIDS-related illnesses at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria, from January 2005 to January 2006. Results Seventy-two PLWHA were admitted during the study period. There were 39 females (54.2%) and 33 (45.8%) males. Sixty-seven (95%) PLWHA presented with AIDS. Only 12 (17%) were already receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy before admission. Forty-three patients (60%) commenced antiretroviral(ARV) therapy on admission. Thirty-three patients (46%) had pulmonary tuberculosis, 10 (14%) had extrapulmonary tuberculosis, 21 (29.1%) had diarrhoea-related illnesses, 20 (28%) had anaemia, and nine (12.5%) presented with coma. Twenty-nine patients (40.3%) were discharged home, and 43 (59.7%) died before discharge. Sixty-nine patients (95.6%) were judged to be indigent, and required financial support. The contributory causes of death included pulmonary tuberculosis in 21 (48.8%), diarrhoeal diseases in five (11.6%), anaemia in five (11.6%), coma in nine (20.9%), and pneumonia in three (7.1%). Conclusion: Tuberculosis was the major admission-defining ailment among PLWHA.