Background 10 years ago in Sub-Saharan countries, lab tests and antiretroviral therapy (ART) were expensive for most of patients. Many patients weren’t able to start ART and those who start were frequently lost to follow-up. Since few years in Burkina-Faso, testing and treatment facilities are more available, ART is subsidised and starting when CD4 < 350 cells/µl. We aimed to describe the present follow-up features among newly managed adult HIV-infected patients in this country national referral centre.

Methods a prospective and descriptive review was conducted, using a personal case report forms, in all newly managed adults with positive HIV antibody received between June and December 2009 at Yalgado Ouédraogo Hospital University Internal Medicine department in Ouagadougou. Each treated patient was followed-up for 36 months and had an appointment each 3 month the first year and each 6 month after with CD4 count and viral load measurement. All lab tests and ART were free of fees.

Results We received 191 patients with a median age of 37 (range, 18–65) years, sex ratio (M/W): 0.66. 177 patients returned to medical follow-up after the first consultation. 144/177 patients had CD4 < 350 cells/µl and have all been treated (first line). 128/144 treated patients were followed-up for the full 36 months and we have not recorded any major side effects of ART but the incidence of diabetes and dyslipidemia was respectively 2.3% and 1.6%. 10 died and 7 were lost to follow up. The global compliance rate with appointments was 90%. Weight gain and immune restoration were significant (p < 0.01). Two patients had a virological failure during the second year and they successfully switched to the second line treatment.

Conclusion we have excellent treatment success with no major side effects but we still lost to the follow-up some patients and mortality remains high.