Recent reports from Lancet, the world’s leading general medical journal in Oncology, Neurology and Infectious Diseases say drug-resistant HIV has been increasing in parts of sub-Saharan Africa over the last decade. According to experts writing in the Lancet, studies on 26,000 untreated HIV-positive people in developing countries were reviewed by a team which said resistance could build up if people fail to stick to drug therapy and poor monitoring. A United Kingdom HIV organisation said resistance is a serious problem in Africa where alternative treatments were lacking.
Researchers said the AIDS epidemic is still getting stronger despite remedial measures. The researchers, from the World Health Organisation (WHO) and University College London (UCL) reached the conclusion that most rapid increase in drug resistance found in East Africa stood at 29 per cent per year. In Southern Africa, it was 14 per cent per year. The researchers found no change in resistance over time in Latin America and in West and Central Africa.
“Without continued and increased national and international efforts, rising HIV drug resistance could jeopardise a decade-long trend of decreasing HIV/AIDS-related illnesses and deaths in low- and middle-income countries," researcher Dr Silvia Bertagnolio from the WHO and Dr Ravindra Gupta at UCL wrote in the Lancet. Dr Gupta told BBC: "Drug resistance is a consequence of people not taking their medication properly. Dr Gupta added that quite basic measures could help people to stick to their drug in developing countries. Facilities like food and clean water should be provided so that they can take their drugs as well as ensuring the effective monitoring of patients. As per researchers, no changes are needed in drug therapy, but Dr Gupta noted: "This work gives us an early-warning that things could get worse."
Sadly, researchers say, fewer treatment options are available in sub-Saharan Africa. If drug resistance occurs there doesn't tend to be an alternative therapy. Scientists stressed the need for further research into the causes of drug resistance in Africa and the urgent action to support people daily access to their medications.
In Cameroon, figures from the Chantal Biya International Reference Centre (CIRCB) say over 108,000 persons and 4,400 children are under antiretroviral treatment. The rate of HIV resistance is 5 per cent. However, the number of people in third line treatment is increasing whereas the third line treatment is not free and available only in two hospitals in the country.
