eISSN: 1732-2707
ISSN: 1730-1270
HIV & AIDS Review. International Journal of HIV-Related Problems
Current issue Archive Manuscripts accepted About the journal Editorial board Abstracting and indexing Subscription Contact Instructions for authors Ethical standards and procedures
Editorial System
Submit your Manuscript
SCImago Journal & Country Rank
2/2022
vol. 21
 
Share:
Share:
abstract:
Original paper

Late presentation: a stumbling block to HIV viral suppression in a low income country

Erhad David Bilaro
1
,
Shamsherali Noormohamed
2

1.
Tumbi Regional Referral Hospital, Kibaha, Tanzania
2.
TMJ Hospital, Mikocheni, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
HIV AIDS Rev 2022; 21, 2: 115-120
Online publish date: 2022/04/26
View full text Get citation
 
PlumX metrics:
Introduction
Tenofovir-based regimens have been recently introduced as first-line antiretroviral treatment (ART) to human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) patients in Tanzania. Limited information on HIV viral suppression and its’ associated factors exists in Tanzania since the adoption of this intervention at a public health level. The aim of the present study was to determine HIV viral suppression rate and assess its’ associated factors among patients attending Temeke Regional Referral Hospital care and treatment clinic after twelve months of using antiretroviral therapy.

Material and methods
Hospital-based cross-sectional study was performed to assess factors associated with HIV viral suppression. Viral load suppression was defined as HIV-RNA below 50 copies/ml, and late presentation was defined in a person who presented to care and treatment facility with WHO HIV clinical stage III or IV and/or baseline CD4+ T lymphocyte count of less than 350 cells/µl.

Results
Among the 188 participants who were interviewed, a total of 149 (79.3%) achieved viral suppression after one year of using ART. Late presentation to health facility (OR = 3.4; 95% CI: 1.6-7.4; p < 0.01) was independently associated with inability to achieve viral suppression at 12 months.

Conclusions
HIV testing services should be strengthened in order to achieve the UNAIDS 90-90-90 target through early detection of HIV disease.

keywords:

HIV, viral suppression, late presentation

Quick links
© 2024 Termedia Sp. z o.o.
Developed by Bentus.