CD4 cells are important component of the body�s defense mechanism, therefore CD4 cells count is an important indicator of immune function. Human immunodeficiency virus infection attacks the CD4 cells in the blood, causing their number to drop. When that happens, the person�s body cannot fight infections effectively. The individual then becomes vulnerable to attack by opportunistic infections. These infections occur more frequently and more severely in persons living with HIV (PLWH) than in the general population.\r\nHighly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), when adhered to by PLWH, is capable of suppressing HIV viral replication, thereby reducing the viral population to �lower than detectable level� which eventually results in immunologic recovery and restoration of normal immune function as the number of CD4 cells increase to normal range.\r\nHowever, not all PLWH achieve immunologic recovery. There are factors that affect immunologic recovery. This study, with a sample size of 1203 PLWH, was aimed at determining patient factors which could affect immunologic recovery in PLWH on antiretroviral therapy in public health care facilities in KwaZulu-Natal. Data was collected using questionnaire and hospital patient charts. 64% of the participants were female, 45.5% of had immunologic failure (CD4 cell count <200 cells/�L). CD4 cells count outcome was statistically significantly associated with gender, poor adherence to ART and baseline CD4 cells count. The probability of immunologic failure for those who did not strictly adhere to ART was more than 3 folds higher than those who adhered to ART; and the probability of immunologic failure was more than 8 folds higher for those who had baseline CD4 cells <200 cells/�L than those who had baseline CD4 cells ?200 cells/�L. These therefore affirm the absolute necessity of strict adherence to ART by PLWH as well as highlights the necessity of the WHO HIV treatment policy of �test and treat�.\r\nKey words: Patient, Immunologic, CD4, HIV, Factors, Failure, recovery

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