Factors Associated With Mortality Of Patients On Antiretroviral Therapy At The Andara District, Namibia

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ABSTRACT

Namibia, one of the countries hardest hit by HIV/AIDS, has embarked on a large scale public health sector roll-out of ART. The Catholic Health Services is implementing an HIV/AIDS treatment program in the Andara district since 2004. Even though there is strong evidence to show that antiretroviral therapy (ART) improves the survival and quality of life of people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA), an increased trend of mortality in patients on ART in the Andara district was observed, but there was no evidence to establish factors associated with such mortality. The purpose of this study was to explore, describe and analyse factors associated with mortality of patients on ART in the Andara district. The objectives were to describe baseline socio-demographic and medical characteristics of patients on ART in the Andara district and to determine the independent risk factors associated with mortality of patients on ART on the Andara district. To direct this study, a null hypothesis and alternative hypothesis were formulated. A quantitative, analytical, case-control research design was applied, analysing patients’ records retrospectively. 

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