Factors associated with mortality among people with advanced HIV disease in rural uganda: a retrospective study

Abstract Background Despite global efforts to improve HIV care, late diagnosis and delayed antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation continue to pose mortality risks among people living with HIV (PLHIV) with advanced HIV disease (AHD). This study investigated factors associated with mortality among PL...

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Main Authors: Kabali Bwogi, Catherine Nassozi Lwanira, Ivan Kasamba, Joseph Baruch Baluku, Justine K. Nakiwala, Regina Ndagire, Catherine Nassolo, Gerald Wabomba, Christopher Bwanika, Jane Nakawesi, Grace Namayanja, Joseph Kabanda, Julius N. Kalamya, Julius Ssempiira, Catherine Ssenyimba, Ronald Mulebeke, Arthur G. Fitzmaurice, Barbara Mukasa
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: BMC 2025-08-01
Series:BMC Infectious Diseases
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Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-11397-1
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author Kabali Bwogi
Catherine Nassozi Lwanira
Ivan Kasamba
Joseph Baruch Baluku
Justine K. Nakiwala
Regina Ndagire
Catherine Nassolo
Gerald Wabomba
Christopher Bwanika
Jane Nakawesi
Grace Namayanja
Joseph Kabanda
Julius N. Kalamya
Julius Ssempiira
Catherine Ssenyimba
Ronald Mulebeke
Arthur G. Fitzmaurice
Barbara Mukasa
author_facet Kabali Bwogi
Catherine Nassozi Lwanira
Ivan Kasamba
Joseph Baruch Baluku
Justine K. Nakiwala
Regina Ndagire
Catherine Nassolo
Gerald Wabomba
Christopher Bwanika
Jane Nakawesi
Grace Namayanja
Joseph Kabanda
Julius N. Kalamya
Julius Ssempiira
Catherine Ssenyimba
Ronald Mulebeke
Arthur G. Fitzmaurice
Barbara Mukasa
author_sort Kabali Bwogi
collection DOAJ
description Abstract Background Despite global efforts to improve HIV care, late diagnosis and delayed antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation continue to pose mortality risks among people living with HIV (PLHIV) with advanced HIV disease (AHD). This study investigated factors associated with mortality among PLHIV with AHD in rural North-Central Uganda from January 2018 to December 2021. Methods We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records from 18 health facilities, collecting data on demographics and clinical characteristics, including baseline CD4 count, ART regimen, BMI, TB status, TPT use, WHO clinical stage, and viral load. AHD was defined as a baseline CD4 < 200 cells/mm³. Cox proportional hazards modeling identified mortality-associated factors, reported as adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), using a 5% significance level. Results We analyzed 1161 PLHIV with AHD, contributing 1565.6 person-years. There were 84 deaths (7.2%), yielding a mortality rate of 5.4 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 4.33–6.64). Mortality was significantly associated with age ≥ 50 years (aHR 4.16 [1.77–9.77]), no viral load test (aHR 16.23 [7.44–35.39]), viral load non-suppression (aHR 9.05 [3.37–24.29]), CD4 ≤ 50 (aHR 1.91 [1.08–3.39]), no TB prophylaxis (aHR 3.51 [1.83–6.74]), and WHO stage 3 or 4 (aHR 1.91 [1.12–3.27]). Conclusion Despite advances in HIV programs, the mortality rate among patients with AHD highlights ongoing challenges. Early identification of AHD patients, regular viral load testing, optimizing ART and ensuring adherence, along with promoting tuberculosis preventive therapy, could help reduce mortality, improve patient outcomes, and achieve HIV epidemic control by 2030.
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spelling doaj-art-402d86e1f26249dca3ebed38f2366d562025-08-20T03:04:10ZengBMCBMC Infectious Diseases1471-23342025-08-0125111310.1186/s12879-025-11397-1Factors associated with mortality among people with advanced HIV disease in rural uganda: a retrospective studyKabali Bwogi0Catherine Nassozi Lwanira1Ivan Kasamba2Joseph Baruch Baluku3Justine K. Nakiwala4Regina Ndagire5Catherine Nassolo6Gerald Wabomba7Christopher Bwanika8Jane Nakawesi9Grace Namayanja10Joseph Kabanda11Julius N. Kalamya12Julius Ssempiira13Catherine Ssenyimba14Ronald Mulebeke15Arthur G. Fitzmaurice16Barbara Mukasa17Mildmay UgandaDepartment of Research, School of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovations, Clarke International UniversityMildmay UgandaMildmay UgandaMildmay UgandaDepartment of Research, School of Graduate Studies, Research and Innovations, Clarke International UniversityMildmay UgandaMildmay UgandaMildmay UgandaMildmay UgandaDivision of Global HIV and TB, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Division of Global HIV and TB, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Division of Global HIV and TB, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Division of Global HIV and TB, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Mildmay UgandaMildmay UgandaDivision of Global HIV and TB, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)Mildmay UgandaAbstract Background Despite global efforts to improve HIV care, late diagnosis and delayed antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation continue to pose mortality risks among people living with HIV (PLHIV) with advanced HIV disease (AHD). This study investigated factors associated with mortality among PLHIV with AHD in rural North-Central Uganda from January 2018 to December 2021. Methods We retrospectively reviewed electronic medical records from 18 health facilities, collecting data on demographics and clinical characteristics, including baseline CD4 count, ART regimen, BMI, TB status, TPT use, WHO clinical stage, and viral load. AHD was defined as a baseline CD4 < 200 cells/mm³. Cox proportional hazards modeling identified mortality-associated factors, reported as adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs), using a 5% significance level. Results We analyzed 1161 PLHIV with AHD, contributing 1565.6 person-years. There were 84 deaths (7.2%), yielding a mortality rate of 5.4 per 100 person-years (95% CI: 4.33–6.64). Mortality was significantly associated with age ≥ 50 years (aHR 4.16 [1.77–9.77]), no viral load test (aHR 16.23 [7.44–35.39]), viral load non-suppression (aHR 9.05 [3.37–24.29]), CD4 ≤ 50 (aHR 1.91 [1.08–3.39]), no TB prophylaxis (aHR 3.51 [1.83–6.74]), and WHO stage 3 or 4 (aHR 1.91 [1.12–3.27]). Conclusion Despite advances in HIV programs, the mortality rate among patients with AHD highlights ongoing challenges. Early identification of AHD patients, regular viral load testing, optimizing ART and ensuring adherence, along with promoting tuberculosis preventive therapy, could help reduce mortality, improve patient outcomes, and achieve HIV epidemic control by 2030.https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-11397-1MortalityAdvanced HIV diseaseViral loadTuberculosis preventive therapy
spellingShingle Kabali Bwogi
Catherine Nassozi Lwanira
Ivan Kasamba
Joseph Baruch Baluku
Justine K. Nakiwala
Regina Ndagire
Catherine Nassolo
Gerald Wabomba
Christopher Bwanika
Jane Nakawesi
Grace Namayanja
Joseph Kabanda
Julius N. Kalamya
Julius Ssempiira
Catherine Ssenyimba
Ronald Mulebeke
Arthur G. Fitzmaurice
Barbara Mukasa
Factors associated with mortality among people with advanced HIV disease in rural uganda: a retrospective study
BMC Infectious Diseases
Mortality
Advanced HIV disease
Viral load
Tuberculosis preventive therapy
title Factors associated with mortality among people with advanced HIV disease in rural uganda: a retrospective study
title_full Factors associated with mortality among people with advanced HIV disease in rural uganda: a retrospective study
title_fullStr Factors associated with mortality among people with advanced HIV disease in rural uganda: a retrospective study
title_full_unstemmed Factors associated with mortality among people with advanced HIV disease in rural uganda: a retrospective study
title_short Factors associated with mortality among people with advanced HIV disease in rural uganda: a retrospective study
title_sort factors associated with mortality among people with advanced hiv disease in rural uganda a retrospective study
topic Mortality
Advanced HIV disease
Viral load
Tuberculosis preventive therapy
url https://doi.org/10.1186/s12879-025-11397-1
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