Prevalence of Adverse Drug Reactions among People Living with HIV in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Lagos,...

Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) remains a major public health concern in Nigeria, which has been rated as having a high HIV burden globally. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has significantly improved life expectancy and reduced HIV-related morbidity and mortality. However, ART is associated with adverse drug reactions (ADRs), which can lead to treatment failure, regimen changes, and non-adherence, ultimately affecting patient outcomes.

This was a retrospective cohort study of newly initiated people living with HIV (PLHIV) accessing care at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH), Ikeja. All newly initiated HIV patients receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) at LASUTH between March 2023 and March 2025 were included. Data collected during the study period were abstracted, and individuals who experienced an adverse drug reaction (ADR) were recorded. Data was analysed using the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) version 27.0. Statistical significance was established at p ≤ 0.5.

Overall, 533 newly initiated into treatment in the study period. Out of the newly initiated (533), a total of 65 reported adverse reactions to the drugs of treatment, which constituted 12.1% prevalence of ADR in the newly initiated. The mean age of all participants was 40.50 ± 11.76 years. All the newly initiated (100%) were on Tenofovir, Lamivudine, and Dolutegravir (TLD) combination. Pruritus is the commonest symptom in both females and males.

The ADR prevalence among the newly enrolled PLHIV is 12% and pruritus is the commonest ADR seen among the newly enrolled.