A Study on Socio-Demographic and Clinical Profile of Patients on Second Line Anti-Retroviral Therapy Registered at ART Centre in Surat City

Background: There is a need to develop concrete data in India about the number of people who need to switch to second-line HIV drugs and widespread emergence of drug resistance threatens the sustainability of the national programme. This study was conducted to study on Socio-Demographic and Clinical Profile of Patients on Second Line Anti-Retroviral Therapy Registered at ART Centre in Surat City. Methodology: The present study was a Cross-sectional study conducted at the ART centre of Gujarat, which are providing free second line ART. The study was conducted by pretested semi-structured questionnaire. The information regarding socio-demography and clinical variables, treatment and sexual activity were taken by oral interview of patients. While information regarding laboratory profile, adherence and treatment history were taken from patient treatment cards. Results: Most common reason for switch to second line ART was virological failure (84.2%). Mean duration of first line ART treatment was 30.15 (S.D. 25.350) months. All patients were given ritonavir boosted PI. Majority (66.7%) were given Atazinavir-ritonavir boosted PI and around 30% had history of substitution within second line ART. Conclusion: On the basis of our findings, we conclude that early detection of first-line treatment failure and improve availability/affordability of second-line regimens should become priorities in National Programme. First line ART patients with history of tuberculosis following ART initiation, treatment interruptions, treatment from private facility, belonging to nuclear family and lower social-economic class should be watched for ART failure.