Full Length Research Paper
Abstract
Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) affects immune system, thereby impairing the normal functions of immune system. Causes of mortality among HIV patients have become more diverse and deaths from AIDS-related diseases have continued to change over the years. This study aimed to assess causes of death among HIV patients admitted in Morogoro Regional Referral Hospital, Tanzania. A retrospective hospital-based study involving 164 HIV patients admitted in the medical wards of Morogoro Regional Referral Hospital from January to September, 2018. Information concerning the causes of death were accessed through the medical records and copies of death certificates. The results showed that out of the 164 HIV patients admitted in Morogoro Regional Referral Hospital from January to September, 2018, 98(59.76%) died due to Pneumocystis carinii pneumonia, 31(18.90%) died due to Cryptococcal meningitis, 26(15.85%) died due to tuberculosis, 04(2.44%) died due to toxoplasmosis, and 05(3.05%) died due to opportunistic diarrhea. This study has found that the leading cause of mortality among the HIV patients admitted in Morogoro Regional Referral Hospital from January to September, 2018 was P. carinii pneumonia followed by C. meningitis.
Key words: HIV patients, retrospective, immune system, mortality.
Copyright © 2024 Author(s) retain the copyright of this article.
This article is published under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License 4.0