AIDS as effective antiretroviral therapy in poor countries than in rich countries
,
Antiretroviral
therapy is also effective in developing countries than in rich countries, and
free access to this treatment would result in even better results, say in a
study of U.S. researchers.
"The
antiretroviral therapy programs are complex regimens that require taking at
least three tablets a day for a lifetime," said Dr. Karen Doucette,
University of Alberta, in the journal "Clinical Infectious Diseases
".
"It is
often difficult for patients from North America to submit to such schemes,
which led some to believe that these programs would not work in poor countries
where patients do not have the support (pharmacists , social workers, doctors,
for example) that we have, "she says.
Yet analysis of
more than 100 papers published on the subject gives the lie to this idea,
finding that antiretroviral therapy programs achieve the same efficiency in
developing countries rate than in rich countries. The success rate is 60% for
patients under treatment for 12 to 18 months. And success is even more
important for patients in developing countries who received free treatment.
"Even if it
could be expected, it is gratifying to be able to demonstrate the impact of the
payment of antiretroviral therapy on its success. This has important
implications for the development of programs of this therapeutic approach,
which is being in many poor parts of the world, "says Dr. Doucette.
According to the
latest UN figures, about 40 million people living with HIV worldwide. The vast
majority are in developing countries, and nearly three-quarters in sub-Saharan
Africa. The number of patients on antiretroviral therapy remains inadequate,
with a million people on treatment, but nevertheless progressing steadily.
For Dr. Doucette, the results of the study it
conducted are encouraging but must be accompanied by political will and
financial and technical support for this trend to continue.Author: Mohammad
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