Outcome of Anti-Retroviral Treatment Service at a Tertiary Care Centre

Introduction: Human Immunodeficiency Virus, of the family Retroviridae, causes acquired immunodeficiency syndrome, a condition in which progressive failure of the immune system allows life- threatening opportunistic infections and cancers to thrive. Anti-retroviral therapy is life-saving treatment for HIV-infected people. The aim of our study is to observe the outcome of services being provided by anti- retroviral treatment clinic in a tertiary care centre. Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted in a tertiary care centre providing anti- retroviral service after obtaining ethical approval from the Institutional Review Board. Key indicators set by the people living with HIV/AIDS 2026 were taken into account. Convenience sampling method was used. Data collection was done and analysed using Microsoft Excel 2016. Results: The total estimated high-risk tests done in this centre were 3900, 3800 and 4000 in 2021, 2022 and 2023 respectively. Total people living with HIV/AIDS in those years were 1036, 1159, and 1250 respectively. Similarly, newly diagnosed cases were 130, 155 and 199 respectively. The total number of active clients that were on anti-retroviral treatment were 590, 620 and 661. Conclusions: The data analyzed from the anti-retroviral therapy service centre here reports comparable progress similar to the studies done in one of the tertiary centres of Nepal. The centre has been working following the guidelines set up by the National HIV Strategic Plan and aims to fulfil the target set for 2026.