Cumulative effect of cotrimoxazole, isoniazid and opportunistic infection prophylaxis on CD4 response among people living with HIV on first-line ART in Ari Zone, Southern Ethiopia

The combined use of prophylactic medications was significantly associated with CD4 recovery in people living with HIV on first-line ART. These findings emphasize the importance of integrated preventative strategies, particularly in resource-limited settings, and highlight the need for adherence support among individuals with limited formal education and those living in rural areas. The study's generalizability is limited, however, due to its single-center retrospective design and the use of a broad category for "OI prophylaxis" without specifying individual drugs.