In:
Antiviral Therapy, SAGE Publications, Vol. 14, No. 1 ( 2009-01), p. 63-74
Abstract:
This study aimed to evaluate the effectiveness of an HIV workplace programme in sub-Saharan Africa. Methods The international brewing company, Heineken, introduced an HIV workplace programme in its African subsidiaries in 2001. Beneficiaries from 16 sites in 5 countries were eligible. HIV type-1 (HIV-1)-infected individuals were assessed clinically and immunologically, and started highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) if they had AIDS or had a CD4 + T-cell count 〈 300 cells/μl. In this cohort, study patients were followed-up for vital status, new AIDS events, CD4 + T-cell count and haemoglobin. Results Over the first 5 years of the programme, 431 adults were found to be HIV-1-infected. The mortality rate among those not yet taking HAART was 2.6 per 100 person-years of observation (pyo). By October 2006, 249 patients had started HAART at a median CD4 + T-cell count of 170 cells/μl; 59 (23.7%) patients were in CDC stage C. Among patients on HAART, 25 died and 7 were lost to follow-up. The mortality rate was 3.7 per 100 pyo overall, 14 per 100 pyo in the first 16 weeks and 2.5 per 100 pyo thereafter ( P 〈 0.0001). At 4 years after start of treatment, 89% of patients were known to be alive. The CD4 + T-cell count increased by a median of 153 and 238 cells/μl after 1 and 4 years of HAART, respectively. Conclusions In this HIV workplace programme in sub-Saharan Africa, long-term high survival was achieved.
Type of Medium:
Online Resource
ISSN:
1359-6535
,
2040-2058
DOI:
10.1177/135965350901400113
Language:
English
Publisher:
SAGE Publications
Publication Date:
2009
detail.hit.zdb_id:
2118396-X
SSG:
15,3
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