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Greene E, Walcott M, Guerra L, Tieu HV, Nandi V, Soler J, Diaz J, Curriero F, Latkin C, Bosompem A, Frye V. Correlates of concordance between self-reported and lab-confirmed viral load among Black and Latine men who have sex with men (BLMSM) living with HIV in New York City. AIDS Care 2024; 36:661-671. [PMID: 37399515 PMCID: PMC10761596 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2023.2229816] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2023] [Accepted: 06/20/2023] [Indexed: 07/05/2023]
Abstract
Sustained viral suppression is one of the four strategies in the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services' (HHS) plan to end the HIV epidemic in the United States. Individuals living with HIV must understand their viral load accurately for this strategy to be effective. We conducted cross-sectional analyses using baseline data from the NNHIV longitudinal study among men who have sex with men (MSM) living with HIV in New York City to identify factors associated with concordant knowledge between self-reported and lab-confirmed viral load. Of 164 Black and/or Latine participants, 67% (n = 110) reported that their viral load was undetectable, however lab tests showed only 44% (n = 72) had an undetectable viral load (<20 copies/ml). Overall, 62% of the sample (n = 102) had concordant HIV viral load knowledge (agreement of self-reported and lab viral load). In multivariable regression, those with unstable housing (PR = 0.52, 0.30-0.92) and those who had higher levels of beliefs of racism in medicine scale (PR = 0.76, 0.59-0.97) were less likely to have concordant knowledge. Our study underscores the need for implementing measures to improve viral load knowledge, U = U messaging, and strategies to achieve and maintain undetectable viral load status to reduce the burden of HIV at the population level.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Melonie Walcott
- Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, NY, NY
| | - Lauren Guerra
- Department of Epidemiology, Columbia University Mailman School of Public Health, NY, NY
| | - Hong-Van Tieu
- Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, NY, NY
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, NY, NY
| | - Vijay Nandi
- Laboratory of Data Analytic Services, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, NY, NY
| | - Jorge Soler
- Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, NY, NY
| | - Jose Diaz
- Department of Medicine, SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University, Brooklyn, NY
| | - Frank Curriero
- Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | - Carl Latkin
- Department of Epidemiology, Bloomberg School of Public Health, Johns Hopkins University, Baltimore, MD
| | | | - Victoria Frye
- CUNY School of Medicine, NY, NY
- Laboratory of Infectious Disease Prevention, Lindsley F. Kimball Research Institute, New York Blood Center, NY, NY
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Colpani A, De Vito A, Zauli B, Menzaghi B, Calcagno A, Celesia BM, Ceccarelli M, Nunnari G, De Socio GV, Di Biagio A, Leoni N, Angioni G, Giambenedetto SD, D'Ettorre G, Babudieri S, Madeddu G. Knowledge of Sexually Transmitted Infections and HIV among People Living with HIV: Should We Be Concerned? Healthcare (Basel) 2024; 12:417. [PMID: 38391793 PMCID: PMC10888293 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare12040417] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2023] [Revised: 01/29/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Poor knowledge of sexually transmitted infections (STIs) and HIV among people with HIV (PLHIV) could worsen life quality. We aimed to investigate their STI and HIV knowledge, disclosure and undetectable = untransmittable (U=U). We proposed an anonymous questionnaire regarding STI and HIV to PLHIV attending ten Italian outpatient infectious diseases clinics. Moreover, disclosure and U=U were investigated. The calculated sample size was 178 people. Considering a missing response of 10%, the final sample size was 196. We enrolled 200 PLHIV (73.5% males), with a median age of 52.5 (IQR 41-59) years. The mean score was 7.61 ± 1.22 with no difference by gender, education, and employment. Significant statistical difference was observed by sexual orientation; bisexuals and those who preferred not to answer had a lower score than heterosexuals and MSM (p = 0.0032). PLHIV showed poor knowledge about HIV transmission (25% appropriately answered). Nearly 30% responded that virologically suppressed PLHIV could transmit the infection. Finally, 137 (68.5%) and 158 (79.0%) disclosed to the general practitioner and family and friends, respectively. Nearly 52.0% knew the meaning of U=U, and 83.6% highlighted its positive rebound. In conclusion, important knowledge gaps are present among PLHIV regarding U=U, and its implications are little-known. Improving PLHIVs' awareness will undermine self-stigma and enhance life quality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Agnese Colpani
- Unit of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Andrea De Vito
- Unit of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Beatrice Zauli
- Unit of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Barbara Menzaghi
- Division of Infectious Diseases, "Ospedale di Circolo", 21052 Busto Arsizio, Italy
| | - Andrea Calcagno
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical Sciences, University of Turin, 10123 Torino, Italy
| | - Benedetto Maurizio Celesia
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Manuela Ceccarelli
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Catania, 95125 Catania, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Nunnari
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, University of Messina, 98122 Messina, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Di Biagio
- Infectious Diseases Clinic, IRCCS Policlinico San Martino Hospital, 16132 Genoa, Italy
| | - Nicola Leoni
- Unit of Infectious Disease, SS Trinità Hospital, 09121 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Goffredo Angioni
- Unit of Infectious Disease, SS Trinità Hospital, 09121 Cagliari, Italy
| | - Simona Di Giambenedetto
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, 00168 Rome, Italy
| | - Gabriella D'Ettorre
- Department of Public Health and Infectious Diseases, University of Rome Sapienza, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Sergio Babudieri
- Unit of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Giordano Madeddu
- Unit of Infectious Disease, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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Fokam J, Chenwi CA, Takou D, Santoro MM, Tala V, Teto G, Beloumou G, Semengue ENJ, Dambaya B, Djupsa S, Kembou E, Bouba NP, Ajeh R, Cappelli G, Mbanya D, Colizzi V, Ceccherini-Silberstein F, Perno CF, Ndjolo A. Laboratory Based Surveillance of HIV-1 Acquired Drug Resistance in Cameroon: Implications for Use of Tenofovir-Lamivudine-Dolutegravir (TLD) as Second- or Third-Line Regimens. Viruses 2023; 15:1683. [PMID: 37632026 PMCID: PMC10459610 DOI: 10.3390/v15081683] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2023] [Revised: 06/01/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) with antiretroviral therapy (ART) rollout may jeopardize therapeutic options, especially in this era of transition to fixed-dose tenofovir-lamivudine-dolutegravir (TLD). We studied acquired HIVDR (ADR) patterns and describe potentially active drugs after first- and second-line failure in resource-limited settings (RLS) like Cameroon. A laboratory-based study with 759 patients (≥15 years) experiencing virological failure was carried out at the Chantal Biya International Reference Centre (CIRCB), Yaoundé, Cameroon. Socio-demographic, therapeutic and immunovirological data from patient records were analysed according to HIV-1 genotypic profiles. Median (IQR) ART-duration was 63 (50-308) months. Median CD4 and viremia were 153 (IQR:50-308) cells/mm3 and 138,666 (IQR:28,979-533,066) copies/mL, respectively. Overall ADR was high (93.4% first-line; 92.9%-second-line). TDF, potentially active in 35.7% of participants after first-line and 45.1% after second-line, suggested sub-optimal TLD-efficacy in second-line (64.3%) and third-line (54.9%). All PI/r preserved high efficacy after first-line failure while only DRV/r preserved high-level efficacy (87.9%) after second-line failure. In this resource-limited setting (RLS), ADR is high in ART-failing patients. PI/r strategies remain potent backbones for second-line ART, while only DRV/r remains very potent despite second-line failure. Though TLD use would be preferable, blind use for second- and third-line regimens may be sub-optimal (functional monotherapy with dolutegravir) with high risk of further failure, thus suggesting strategies for selective ART switch to TLD in failing patients in RLS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph Fokam
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Messa, Yaoundé P.O. Box 3077, Cameroon; (D.T.)
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (FMBS), University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé P.O. Box 1364, Cameroon
- National HIV Drug Resistance Working Group (HIVDRWG), Ministry of Public Health, Yaoundé P.O. Box 3038, Cameroon
- Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Buea, Buea P.O. Box 063, Cameroon
| | - Collins Ambe Chenwi
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Messa, Yaoundé P.O. Box 3077, Cameroon; (D.T.)
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (FMBS), University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé P.O. Box 1364, Cameroon
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Desire Takou
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Messa, Yaoundé P.O. Box 3077, Cameroon; (D.T.)
| | - Maria Mercedes Santoro
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Valere Tala
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Messa, Yaoundé P.O. Box 3077, Cameroon; (D.T.)
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (FMBS), University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé P.O. Box 1364, Cameroon
| | - George Teto
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Messa, Yaoundé P.O. Box 3077, Cameroon; (D.T.)
| | - Grace Beloumou
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Messa, Yaoundé P.O. Box 3077, Cameroon; (D.T.)
| | - Ezechiel Ngoufack Jagni Semengue
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Messa, Yaoundé P.O. Box 3077, Cameroon; (D.T.)
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Beatrice Dambaya
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Messa, Yaoundé P.O. Box 3077, Cameroon; (D.T.)
| | - Sandrine Djupsa
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Messa, Yaoundé P.O. Box 3077, Cameroon; (D.T.)
| | - Etienne Kembou
- World Health Organisation, Country Office, Yaoundé P.O. Box 155, Cameroon;
| | - Nounouce Pamen Bouba
- Department of Disease, Epidemic and Pandemic Control, Ministry of Public Health, Yaoundé P.O. Box 3038, Cameroon
| | - Rogers Ajeh
- Central Technical Group, National AIDS Control Committee, Yaoundé P.O. Box 2005, Cameroon
| | - Giulia Cappelli
- Italian National Research Council, P. le Aldo Moro, 7, 00185 Rome, Italy
| | - Dora Mbanya
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (FMBS), University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé P.O. Box 1364, Cameroon
- National Blood Transfusion Service, Ministry of Public Health, Yaoundé P.O. Box 3038, Cameroon
- Haematology and Transfusion Service, Centre Hospitalier et Universitaire (CHU), Yaounde-13, Yaoundé P.O Box 30335, Cameroon
| | - Vittorio Colizzi
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Messa, Yaoundé P.O. Box 3077, Cameroon; (D.T.)
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Francesca Ceccherini-Silberstein
- Department of Experimental Medicine, Faculty of Medicine and Surgery, University of Rome “Tor Vergata”, Via Montpellier 1, 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Carlo-Federico Perno
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Messa, Yaoundé P.O. Box 3077, Cameroon; (D.T.)
- Bambino Gesu’ Children’s Research Hospital, Piazza S. Onofrio 4, 00165 Rome, Italy
| | - Alexis Ndjolo
- Chantal BIYA International Reference Centre for Research on HIV/AIDS Prevention and Management (CIRCB), Messa, Yaoundé P.O. Box 3077, Cameroon; (D.T.)
- Faculty of Medicine and Biomedical Sciences (FMBS), University of Yaoundé I, Yaoundé P.O. Box 1364, Cameroon
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De Vito A, Colpani A, Mameli MS, Bagella P, Fiore V, Fozza C, Montesu MA, Fois AG, Filigheddu F, Manzoni N, Putzu C, Babudieri S, Madeddu G. HIV Infection Indicator Disease-Based Active Case Finding in a University Hospital: Results from the SHOT Project. Infect Dis Rep 2023; 15:94-101. [PMID: 36826350 PMCID: PMC9956050 DOI: 10.3390/idr15010010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
In 2014, UNAIDS launched renewed global targets for HIV control to achieve by 2025, known as "the three 95": 95% of people living with HIV (PWH) diagnosed, of which 95% are receiving treatment, of which 95% are on sustained virological suppression. In Italy, new HIV diagnoses have been steadily decreasing since 2012. However, in 2020, 41% of new diagnoses presented with less than 200 CD4+ cells/µL and 60% with less than 350 CD4+ cells/µL. Implementing testing and early treatment is a key strategy to prevent AIDS, late presentation, and HIV transmission. We selected non-Infectious Diseases Units based on the European project HIDES and engaged colleagues in a condition-guided HIV screening strategy. We enrolled 300 patients, of which 202 were males (67.3%) and 98 were females (32.7%). Most of the screening was performed in Infectious Diseases (ID) and Hematologic wards. In total, we diagnosed eleven new HIV infections with a hospital prevalence in the study population of 3.7%. Five (45.4%) had a CD4 count <100/mm3, one (9.1%) <200/mm3, and one (9.1%) <300/mm3. Regarding risk factors, 81.8% declared having had unprotected sexual intercourse and 54.5% were heterosexual. All patients promptly started a combination antiretroviral regimen and 10 (90.9%) obtained an undetectable HIV-RNA status. Eight of the eleven (72.7%) patients are currently on follow-up in our outpatient clinic. A proactive indicator disease-guided screening can help avoid missed opportunities to diagnose HIV infection in a hospital setting. Implementing this kind of intervention could favor early diagnosis and access to treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea De Vito
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +39-340-470-4834
| | - Agnese Colpani
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Maria Sabrina Mameli
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Paola Bagella
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Vito Fiore
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Claudio Fozza
- Unit of Haematology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Maria Antonia Montesu
- Unit of Dermatology, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Alessandro Giuseppe Fois
- Unit of Respiratory Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Fabiana Filigheddu
- Unit of Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Noemi Manzoni
- Unit of Internal Medicine, University Hospital of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Carlo Putzu
- Unit of Oncology, University Hospital of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Sergio Babudieri
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
| | - Giordano Madeddu
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Surgery and Pharmacy, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
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Gibas KM, Kelly SG, Arribas JR, Cahn P, Orkin C, Daar ES, Sax PE, Taiwo BO. Two-drug regimens for HIV treatment. Lancet HIV 2022; 9:e868-e883. [PMID: 36309038 PMCID: PMC10015554 DOI: 10.1016/s2352-3018(22)00249-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 12/05/2022]
Abstract
Combination therapy with three antiretroviral agents has been integral to successful HIV-1 treatment since 1996. Although the efficacy, adverse effects, and toxicities of contemporary three-drug regimens have improved, even the newest therapies have potential adverse effects. The use of two-drug regimens is one way to reduce lifetime exposure to antiretroviral drugs while maintaining the benefits of viral suppression. Multiple large, randomised trials have shown the virological non-inferiority of certain two-drug regimens versus three-drug comparators, including adverse effect differences that reflect known profiles of the antiretroviral drugs in the respective regimens. Two-drug combinations are now recommended in treatment guidelines and include the first long-acting antiretroviral regimen for the treatment of HIV-1. Recommended two-drug regimens differ in their risks for, and factors associated with, virological failure and emergent resistance. The tolerability, safety, metabolic profiles, and drug interactions of two-drug regimens also vary by the constituent drugs. No current two-drug regimen is recommended for people with chronic hepatitis B virus as none include tenofovir. Two-drug regimens have increased options for individualised care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin M Gibas
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Sean G Kelly
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Jose R Arribas
- Infectious Diseases Unit, La Paz University Hospital, Hospital La Paz Institute for Health Research, Madrid, Spain; School of Medicine, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, Madrid, Spain; Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red de Enfermedades Infecciosas, Madrid, Spain
| | - Pedro Cahn
- Fundación Huésped, Buenos Aires, Argentina
| | - Chloe Orkin
- Department of Immunobiology, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
| | - Eric S Daar
- The Lundquist Institute, Harbor University of California, Los Angeles, Torrence, CA, USA
| | - Paul E Sax
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Babafemi O Taiwo
- Division of Infectious Diseases, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, IL, USA.
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Mesic A, Decroo T, Mar HT, Jacobs BKM, Thandar MP, Thwe TT, Kyaw AA, Sangma M, Beversluis D, Bermudez-Aza E, Spina A, Aung DPP, Piriou E, Ritmeijer K, Van Olmen J, Oo HN, Lynen L. Viraemic-time predicts mortality among people living with HIV on second-line antiretroviral treatment in Myanmar: A retrospective cohort study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0271910. [PMID: 35905123 PMCID: PMC9337705 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0271910] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Despite HIV viral load (VL) monitoring being serial, most studies use a cross-sectional design to evaluate the virological status of a cohort. The objective of our study was to use a simplified approach to calculate viraemic-time: the proportion of follow-up time with unsuppressed VL above the limit of detection. We estimated risk factors for higher viraemic-time and whether viraemic-time predicted mortality in a second-line antiretroviral treatment (ART) cohort in Myanmar. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort analysis of people living with HIV (PLHIV) who received second-line ART for a period >6 months and who had at least two HIV VL test results between 01 January 2014 and 30 April 2018. Fractional logistic regression assessed risk factors for having higher viraemic-time and Cox proportional hazards regression assessed the association between viraemic-time and mortality. Kaplan-Meier curves were plotted to illustrate survival probability for different viraemic-time categories. RESULTS Among 1,352 participants, 815 (60.3%) never experienced viraemia, and 172 (12.7%), 214 (15.8%), and 80 (5.9%) participants were viraemic <20%, 20-49%, and 50-79% of their total follow-up time, respectively. Few (71; 5.3%) participants were ≥80% of their total follow-up time viraemic. The odds for having higher viraemic-time were higher among people with a history of injecting drug use (aOR 2.01, 95% CI 1.30-3.10, p = 0.002), sex workers (aOR 2.10, 95% CI 1.11-4.00, p = 0.02) and patients treated with lopinavir/ritonavir (vs. atazanavir; aOR 1.53, 95% CI 1.12-2.10, p = 0.008). Viraemic-time was strongly associated with mortality hazard among those with 50-79% and ≥80% viraemic-time (aHR 2.92, 95% CI 1.21-7.10, p = 0.02 and aHR 2.71, 95% CI 1.22-6.01, p = 0.01). This association was not observed in those with viraemic-time <50%. CONCLUSIONS Key populations were at risk for having a higher viraemic-time on second-line ART. Viraemic-time predicts clinical outcomes. Differentiated services should target subgroups at risk for a higher viraemic-time to control both HIV transmission and mortality.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anita Mesic
- Public Health Department, Médecins Sans Frontières, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Tom Decroo
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Research Foundation Flanders, Brussels, Belgium
| | - Htay Thet Mar
- Medical Department, Médecins Sans Frontières, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Bart K. M. Jacobs
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Thin Thin Thwe
- Medical Department, Médecins Sans Frontières, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Aung Aung Kyaw
- Medical Department, Médecins Sans Frontières, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - Mitchell Sangma
- Medical Department, Médecins Sans Frontières, Yangon, Myanmar
| | - David Beversluis
- Public Health Department, Médecins Sans Frontières, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Elkin Bermudez-Aza
- Public Health Department, Médecins Sans Frontières, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Alexander Spina
- Public Health Department, Médecins Sans Frontières, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
- University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | | | - Erwan Piriou
- Public Health Department, Médecins Sans Frontières, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Koert Ritmeijer
- Public Health Department, Médecins Sans Frontières, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Josefien Van Olmen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
- Department of Family Medicine and Population Health, University of Antwerp, Antwerpen, Belgium
| | - Htun Nyunt Oo
- National AIDS Programme, Ministry of Health and Sport, Naypyidaw, Myanmar
| | - Lutgarde Lynen
- Department of Clinical Sciences, Institute of Tropical Medicine, Antwerp, Belgium
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7
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Girma S, Amogne W. Investigating latent syphilis in HIV treatment-experienced Ethiopians and response to therapy. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0270878. [PMID: 35819944 PMCID: PMC9275702 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0270878] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives We investigated people with HIV (PWH) receiving combination antiretroviral therapy (cART) for latent syphilis infection prevalence, risk factors, treatment response, and neurosyphilis. Methods A prospective follow-up study was conducted on PWH and latent syphilis. The cases were randomly assigned to receive either benzathine penicillin G (BPG) or doxycycline (DOXY), and the posttreatment response was evaluated after 12 and 24 months. The traditional algorithm was used for serodiagnosis, and a semi-quantitative rapid plasma reagin (RPR) test monitored disease activity and treatment effectiveness. Results Of the 823 participants, 64.8% were women, and the mean age was 41.7±10 years. Thirty-one (3.8%) of the participants (22 males and nine females) had latent syphilis. The risk factors were male sex (aOR = 3.14), increasing age (aOR = 1.04 per year), and cART duration (aOR = 1.01 per month). Baseline RPR titers were: ≤1:4 in 19 (61.3%), between 1:8 and 1:32 in 10 (32.2%), and >1:32 in 2 (6.4%). None of the seven cerebrospinal fluid analyses supported a neurosyphilis diagnosis. In the 12th month of treatment, 27 (87.1%) had adequate serological responses, three (9.7%) had serological nonresponse, and one (3.2%) had treatment failure. Syphilis treatment was repeated in the last four cases with the alternative drug. In terms of adequate serologic response, both therapies were comparable at the 12th month, p = 0.37. All cases responded to treatment in the 24th month. Conclusion In PWH receiving cART, latent syphilis occurred more in men than women, suggesting an investigation of sexual practices and the impact of antenatal syphilis screening. Syphilis disease activity reduces in the latent stage. Therefore, the routine cerebrospinal fluid analysis contributes little to the diagnosis of asymptomatic neurosyphilis and the treatment success of latent syphilis. DOXY is an alternative to BPG, and cART improves serologic response to latent syphilis treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Selamawit Girma
- College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Dermatovenerology, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Wondwossen Amogne
- College of Health Sciences, School of Medicine, Department of Internal Medicine, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
- * E-mail: ,
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How Little Do We Know about HIV and STIs Prevention? Results from a Web-Based Survey among the General Population. Healthcare (Basel) 2022; 10:healthcare10061059. [PMID: 35742110 PMCID: PMC9222353 DOI: 10.3390/healthcare10061059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 05/28/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Prevention campaigns have led to a significant decrease in new HIV diagnoses in Western Europe, while other sexual transmitted infections (STIs) have shown an opposite trend. Several educational programs are promoted among young students, whereas informational campaigns addressing the general population are scarce. We aimed to investigate the level of awareness regarding STIs among the general population. Methods: We proposed a questionnaire regarding STIs and HIV to the general population in Italy. We assigned 1 point to correct, 0.5 point to partially correct, and 0 point to wrong answers. We collected data about age, sex, region of origin, level of education and whether they were health workers. Results: Overall, 2183 people answered the questionnaire, of which 555 aged over 50 years old. Being male, older than 50 years old, retired or unemployed, not educated, and no regular use of condoms were associated with lower scores. Only 16% of participants knew the Undetectable = Untransmittable (U = U) campaign. Overall, 2131 (97.6%) people think more educational campaigns should be offered. Of interest, 80% said the questionnaire led them to learn more about HIV and STIs. Conclusion: Our study reveals several gaps in general population awareness about HIV and STIs, especially among people aged over 50 years old. Most participants stated that the questionnaire was a learning opportunity. These data suggest that improvement of knowledge could start from easy-to-dispose medium, such as surveys and questionnaires delivered through social media. Furthermore, particular attention should be paid to population segmentation and campaign tailoring to enhance interventions effectiveness. Our data reinforce the need for more informational and educational campaigns tailored to the specific segments of the population.
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Wedajo S, Degu G, Deribew A, Ambaw F. Treatment failure, death, and predictors among PLWHIV on second-line antiretroviral therapy in Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospital, northeast Ethiopia: A retrospective cohort study. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269235. [PMID: 35648771 PMCID: PMC9159605 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2021] [Accepted: 05/17/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background The proportion of HIV patients on second-line antiretroviral therapy is becoming a growing public health concern, especially in a low-income country setting. However, unlike first-line therapy, to date, very little is known about the outcomes of second-line therapy in the Ethiopia context. Thus, this study was conducted to determine the rate of treatment failure, death, and their predictors among HIV patients receiving second-line therapy. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted on 642 people living with HIV in Dessie Comprehensive Specialized Hospital from October 2016 to November 2019. Poisson and competitive risk survival models were computed to explore predictors of treatment failure and death, respectively. Results During follow-up period, 39 (6.87%, 95% CI: 5–9.2%) of 568 patients had second-line treatment failure with 4.07 per 100 person-year rate of failure. Being on anti-TB treatment [Rate ratio, RR = 2.57 (95% CI: 1.25–5.25)], not having optimal medication adherence [RR = 2.29 (95% CI: 1.09–4.78)], and not timely switched [RR = 5.89 (95% CI: 1.36–25.54)] were positively associated with treatment failure. Similarly, 44 (6.85%, 95% CI: 5–9%) of 642 patients died with 4.5 per 100 person-year rate of death. Being on advanced clinical condition [Sub distribution Hazard ratio, SHR = 2.49 (95% CI: 1.31–4.74)], not having optimal medication adherence [SHR = 2.65 (95% CI: 1.31–4.74)], lower CD4 cell counts, and high viral load measurement were positively associated with death. Conclusions A significant number of patients had failed to respond to second-line therapy. A large number of patients had also died. Patient medical profile and monitoring practice were associated with treatment failure and death. Hence, patient-centered monitoring and interventions should be strengthened, besides treatment switch.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shambel Wedajo
- School of Public Health, CMHS, Wollo University, Dessie, Ethiopia
- School of Public Health, CMHS, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
- * E-mail:
| | - Getu Degu
- School of Public Health, CMHS, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Amare Deribew
- Country Director, Nutrition International (NI) in Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Fentie Ambaw
- School of Public Health, CMHS, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
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Pashaei Z, Oskouie F, Moradi-Lakeh M, Jahanfar S, Haghani S. HIV serostatus disclosure to sexual partner: a survey among women in Tehran, Iran. Eur J Med Res 2022; 27:56. [PMID: 35395935 PMCID: PMC8994217 DOI: 10.1186/s40001-022-00663-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Disclosure of HIV-positive status in women is associated with many factors. Consequently, status disclosure remains a challenge for Iranian women living with HIV. This study aimed to assess the prevalence, related factors, and reflections of HIV-positive status disclosure to a sexual partner(s) among Iranian women living with HIV. METHODS A cross-sectional study was conducted on 170 HIV-seropositive women. Participants were selected from patients registered in the largest HIV clinic and HIV-positive club of Iran. The "HIV disclosure" questionnaire had 38-items and all the interviews were administered by the researcher. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 21.0 software. We used a logistic regression method to calculate the crude odds ratio (COR) and the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) for self-disclosure as the independent predictor variable and the dependent variable, respectively. RESULTS One hundred and seventy HIV-positive women were enrolled. Most of them had disclosed their HIV status to at least one person (94.1%) and their sexual partners (86.5%). In the univariate analysis, being married (COR = 18.66, 95% CI 5.63-61.87), living with a sexual partner (COR = 4.72, 95% CI 1.92-11.62), being aware of sexual partners' HIV status (COR = 6.20, 95% CI 1.79-21.49), and gaining the support of sexual partner (COR = 9.08, 95% CI 3.48-23.64) were associated with higher odds of HIV status disclosure. In the multivariate analysis, being aware of sexual partners' HIV status, and gaining the support of sexual partners remained associated with HIV status disclosure. Most women reported a positive reflection from their sexual partners after disclosure, however, negative reflections from society were more common compared to sexual partners and family members. CONCLUSION This study shows high overall HIV disclosure proportions. It should be noted that a large number of women were infected by their sexual partners, especially by their spouses. The high rate of transmission in married people indicates an urgent need for more emphasis on appropriate prevention behaviors by infected partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zahra Pashaei
- Department of Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Iranian Research Center for HIV/AIDS (IRCHA), Iran Nursing Care, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Fatemeh Oskouie
- Nursing Care Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran. .,Department of Community Health Nursing, School of Nursing and Midwifery, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.
| | - Maziar Moradi-Lakeh
- Preventive Medicine and Public Health Research Center, Psychosocial Health Research Institute, Department of Community Medicine, School of Medicine, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shayesteh Jahanfar
- MPH Program, Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, USA
| | - Shima Haghani
- Nursing Care Research Center, Iran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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Jones BI, Freedman A, Thomas MJ, Villalba-Mendez C, Sathia L, Flanagan D, Francis S, Currie CJ. Comorbid diseases and conditions in people with HIV in the UK. Curr Med Res Opin 2022; 38:277-285. [PMID: 34761727 DOI: 10.1080/03007995.2021.2003671] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES This study aimed to characterize the risk of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in the UK progressing to pre-specified HIV-associated comorbidities, compared with matched, HIV-negative controls. METHODS Primary and secondary care records from the Clinical Practice Research Datalink (CPRD) and linked Hospital Episode Statistics (HES) were used to identify PLHIV, and a matched cohort from the HIV-negative population. Kaplan Meier curves and Cox proportional hazard models were used to evaluate the risk of developing comorbidities including central nervous system (CNS) disorders, end-stage renal disease, osteoporosis, diabetes, cardiovascular disease (CVD), hypertension, stroke and cancer. RESULTS A total of 2945 PLHIV were matched to a cohort of 5890 HIV-negative controls. PLHIV demonstrated an increased hazard ratio (HR) for time to development of incident sleep disorders, depression, osteoporosis, stroke, cancer and renal disease when compared with their matched HIV-negative control. The HRs for anxiety, hypertension, diabetes and CVD were not significantly increased. CONCLUSIONS PLHIV in the UK were at a higher risk of developing a number of comorbid conditions, highlighting the need for regular attendance of health reviews such as the annual health reviews recommended by the British HIV Associations (BHIVA) quality standard for care, which are currently not uniformly conducted.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Andrew Freedman
- Division of Infection & Immunity, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Craig J Currie
- Global Epidemiology, Pharmatelligence, Cardiff, UK
- Division of Population Medicine, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK
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De Vito A, Botta A, Berruti M, Castelli V, Lai V, Cassol C, Lanari A, Stella G, Shallvari A, Bezenchek A, Di Biagio A. Could Long-Acting Cabotegravir-Rilpivirine Be the Future for All People Living with HIV? Response Based on Genotype Resistance Test from a Multicenter Italian Cohort. J Pers Med 2022; 12:jpm12020188. [PMID: 35207677 PMCID: PMC8877047 DOI: 10.3390/jpm12020188] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/25/2021] [Revised: 01/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/26/2022] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Long-acting (LA) formulations have been designed to improve the quality of life of people with HIV (PWH) by maintaining virologic suppression. However, clinical trials have shown that patient selection is crucial. In fact, the HIV-1 resistance genotype test and the Body Mass Index of individual patients assume a predominant role in guiding the choice. Our work aimed to estimate the patients eligible for the new LA therapy with cabotegravir (CAB) + rilpivirine (RPV). We selected, from the Antiviral Response Cohort Analysis (ARCA) database, all PWH who had at least one follow-up in the last 24 months. We excluded patients with HBsAg positivity, evidence of non-nucleoside reverse transcriptase inhibitor (except K103N) and integrase inhibitor mutations, and with a detectable HIV-RNA (>50 copies/mL). Overall, 4103 patients are currently on follow-up in the ARCA, but the eligible patients totaled 1641 (39.9%). Among them, 1163 (70.9%) were males and 1399 were Caucasian (85.3%), of which 1291 (92%) were Italian born. The median length of HIV infection was 10.2 years (IQR 6.3–16.3) with a median nadir of CD4 cells/count of 238 (106–366) cells/mm3 and a median last available CD4 cells/count of 706 (509–944) cells/mm3. The majority of PWH were treated with a three-drug regimen (n = 1116, 68%). Among the 525 (30.3%) patients treated with two-drug regimens, 325 (18.1%) were treated with lamivudine (3TC) and dolutegravir (DTG) and only 84 (5.1%) with RPV and DTG. In conclusion, according to our snapshot, roughly 39.9% of virologically suppressed patients may be suitable candidates for long-acting CAB+RPV therapy. Therefore, based on our findings, many different variables should be taken into consideration to tailor the antiretroviral treatment according to different individual characteristics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea De Vito
- Unit of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medical, Surgical, and Experimental Sciences, University of Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy
- Correspondence:
| | - Annarita Botta
- Infectious and Tropical Disease Unit, Department of Experimental and Clinical Medicine, University Hospital Careggi, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy;
| | - Marco Berruti
- Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino-IRCCS, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
| | - Valeria Castelli
- Department of Pathophysiology and Transplantation, University of Milano, 20126 Milano, Italy;
- Infectious Disease Unit, Fondazione IRCCS Ca’ Granda Ospedale Maggiore Policlinico, 20122 Milano, Italy
| | - Vincenzo Lai
- Struttura Complessa di Microbiologia e Virologia, Dipartimento di Scienze Biomediche, Università di Sassari, 07100 Sassari, Italy;
| | - Chiara Cassol
- Dipartimento Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (C.C.); (A.L.); (G.S.)
- UOC Malattie Infettive e Tropicali, AOU Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Alessandro Lanari
- Dipartimento Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (C.C.); (A.L.); (G.S.)
- UOC Malattie Infettive e Tropicali, AOU Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Giulia Stella
- Dipartimento Biotecnologie Mediche, Università degli Studi di Siena, 53100 Siena, Italy; (C.C.); (A.L.); (G.S.)
- UOC Malattie Infettive e Tropicali, AOU Senese, 53100 Siena, Italy
| | - Adrian Shallvari
- InformaPRO S.r.l., 00152 Rome, Italy; (A.S.); (A.B.)
- EuResist Network GEIE, 00152 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonia Bezenchek
- InformaPRO S.r.l., 00152 Rome, Italy; (A.S.); (A.B.)
- EuResist Network GEIE, 00152 Rome, Italy
| | - Antonio Di Biagio
- Infectious Diseases Unit, Ospedale Policlinico San Martino-IRCCS, Department of Health Sciences (DISSAL), University of Genoa, 16132 Genoa, Italy;
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Kalichman SC, Kalichman MO, Eaton LA. Undisclosed HIV Status to Sex Partners and Its Unintended Consequences in the Era of Undetectable = Untransmittable. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2021; 88:149-156. [PMID: 34267054 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000002762] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2021] [Accepted: 07/01/2021] [Indexed: 10/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and sustained HIV suppression virtually eliminate HIV transmission, eg, having an undetectable viral load renders HIV untransmittable (U=U). Owing to the greatly reduced likelihood of HIV transmission when viral load is undetectable, we studied one behavioral ramification of adopting a U=U prevention strategy-not disclosing HIV status to sex partners. SETTING Cisgender men recruited through community outreach in the state of Georgia, USA. METHODS We examined HIV status disclosure to sex partners among 345 young (median age = 29 years) men receiving ART. Data were collected using computerized interviews, daily sexual behavior surveys over 28 days, unannounced pill counts for ART adherence, urine tests for drug use and urogenital health, and blood samples for HIV viral load. RESULTS One in 3 participants (34%) engaged in condomless anal/vaginal intercourse with an HIV-negative/unknown HIV status partner over 28 days. Average ART adherence was 76%, and one in 5 men had detectable HIV viral loads. Men who engaged in condomless sex with undisclosed partners demonstrated significantly less HIV disclosure to family and friends and had fewer enacted stigma experiences. Hierarchical regression models showed that endorsing U=U as a personal HIV prevention strategy predicted undisclosed condomless sex over and above substance use, HIV stigma experiences, disclosure to family and friends, ART adherence, and HIV viral load. CONCLUSIONS Interventions are needed to improve ART adherence and assist men living with HIV in their decisions to disclose HIV status to sex partners.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seth C Kalichman
- Institute for Collaboration on Health, Intervention and Policy, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT
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Ahmed I, Demissie M, Worku A, Gugsa S, Berhane Y. Virologic outcomes of people living with human immunodeficiency virus who started antiretroviral treatment on the same-day of diagnosis in Ethiopia: A multicenter observational study. PLoS One 2021; 16:e0257059. [PMID: 34478438 PMCID: PMC8415611 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0257059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2021] [Accepted: 08/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION There have been tremendous achievements in scaling-up antiretroviral therapy (ART) for treatment of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), following universal "test and treat" policy implementation in low- and middle-income countries. However, its effects on virologic outcomes is not yet well investigated. We compared low viral load status in people living with HIV between those who were initiated on ART on the same-day and after 7 days of being diagnosed with HIV infection. METHODS We conducted a retrospective cohort study of persons age ≥15 years-old who were newly diagnosed and started on ART between October 2016 and July 2018 at 11 public health facilities in northwest Ethiopia. Exposure was initiation of ART on the same-day of HIV diagnosis. The outcome was low viral load at 12-months following ART initiation. We used double-robust estimator using inverse-probability-weighted regression adjustment to compare the groups. RESULTS A total of 398 people who started ART on the same-day of HIV diagnosis and 479 people who started 7 days after the initial diagnosis were included in this study. By 12-months following ART initiation, 73.4% (292) in the same-day group vs 83.7% (401) in the >7 days group achieved low viral load (absolute difference = 10.3% (95% CI: 4.9%, 15.8%)). After adjusting for baseline and follow-up covariates, there was statistically significant difference in low viral load status (adjusted difference = 8.3% (95% CI: 3.5%, 13.0%)) between the same-day group and the >7 days group. CONCLUSIONS Achievement of low viral load by 12-months post-initiation of ART was not optimal among participants who started ART on the same-day of HIV diagnosis. Efforts should be made to reinforce treatment adherence while initiating same-day ART.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Meaza Demissie
- Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Alemayehu Worku
- Department of Preventive Medicine, School of Public Health, College of Health Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
| | - Salem Gugsa
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington Seattle, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Yemane Berhane
- Addis Continental Institute of Public Health, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
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