Predictors of Current CD4+ T-Cell Count Among Women of Reproductive Age on Antiretroviral Therapy in Public Hospitals, Southwest Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: HIV/AIDS is one of the major global public health problems. CD4 is a glycoprotein found on the surface of different immune cells. CD4 cell counts determine the need for screening and prophylactic interventions against common opportunistic infections in those with advanced HIV disease. Thus, this study aimed to assess the predictors of current CD4(+) T-cell count among women of reproductive age on antiretroviral therapy in public hospitals, southwest Ethiopia. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was conducted from February to April 2018. A total of 422 participants in the three public hospitals were selected using a systematic random sampling method. Linear regression analyses were used to determine the important predictors of current CD4(+) T-cell count at p-values of <0.05. RESULTS: A total of 422 women with a median age of 37.00 years participated in this study. More than one in ten (12.8%) respondents experienced immunological failure. An increased current CD4(+) T-cell count was observed among patients with a tertiary level of education [β = 56.45, 95% CI (3.5, 109.4)], baseline WHO clinical stage II [β = 44.06, 95% CI (5.3, 82.9)], initial regimen of AZT+3TC+EFV [β = 167.23, 95% CI (100.4, 234.1)], with increased baseline CD4(+) T-cell count [β = 0.35, 95% CI (0.2, 0.5)], and with increased time duration on ART [β = 14.36, 95% CI (6.304, 22.4)]. On the other hand, the current CD4(+) T-cell count was lowered among patients with poor baseline adherence, opportunistic infection, and viral load of ≥1000 by 181.06 cells/mm(3), 101.62 cells/mm(3), and 137.53 cells/mm(3) compared to good baseline adherence, no opportunistic infection and undetectable viral load, respectively. CONCLUSION: The immunological failure was relatively low. Maintaining adherence, early identification and treatment of opportunistic infections, and minimizing viral load to undetectable levels may further decrease immunological failure.