1
|
Benti Biratu S, Addis Gesese A. Determinants of Loss to Follow Up Among Adult People Living with HIV Enrolled in Antiretroviral Therapy in West Wollega Public Hospitals, Oromia, Ethiopia. HIV AIDS (Auckl) 2024; 16:59-71. [PMID: 38435497 PMCID: PMC10906723 DOI: 10.2147/hiv.s426196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Accepted: 02/01/2024] [Indexed: 03/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) reduces morbidity and mortality in patients with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). However, clients loss to follow-up (LTFU) from the treatment poses a paramount problem to the public, healthcare, and patient outcome. Thus, this study identified determinants of loss to follow-up to ART among adult clients in West Wollega hospitals, Oromia, Ethiopia, in 2021. Methods An unmatched case-control study was conducted and a systematic random sampling technique was used. Data were collected from patient charts by three BSC nurses and three card reporters using a structured checklist. Then, it was entered into Epi-data version 3.1 and analyzed using SPSS version 21. Descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage) were used to present the results. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were performed using the backward stepwise method. Adjusted odds ratio (AOR) and p-values <0.05 were used to declare significant association with loss to follow-up. Model fitness was checked using Hosmer-Lemeshow goodness-of-fit. Results A total of 399 (133 patients and 266 controls) participated in this study. Rural residents (AOR:3.46, 95% CI:1.65, 7.25), male patient (AOR: 2.65 95% CI 1.54,4.55), lack of formal education (AOR: 4.35, 95% CI 1.53, 12.41), base line CD4 ≤350 (AOR: 5.25, 95% CI 1.93,14.24), poor functional status (AOR: 4.298, 95% CI 5.33,34.62) and WHO stages III & IV (AOR: 2.65, 95% CI 1.68,4.19), and tuberculosis co-infection (AOR: 2.82, 95% CI 1.11,7.45) were determinant factors of loss to follow up. Conclusion Rural residence, male sex, daily laborer, no formal education, baseline CD4 count <350 cells/mm3, baseline advanced WHO clinical stage, and TB co-infection were determinants of LTFU. Therefore, emphasis should be given to the identified factors along with awareness creation and health education sessions. Regular TB screening, optimal adherence regardless of their stay on ART, and follow-up study are recommended.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Siraj Benti Biratu
- Department of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Ambo University, Ambo, Ethiopia
| | - Abreha Addis Gesese
- Department of Clinical Nursing, Gambella Teachers Education and Health Science College, Gambella, Ethiopia
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Tesha ED, Kishimba R, Njau P, Revocutus B, Mmbaga E. Predictors of loss to follow up from antiretroviral therapy among adolescents with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268825. [PMID: 35857796 PMCID: PMC9299289 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Accepted: 05/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Access to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is threatened by the increased rate of loss to follow-up (LTFU) among adolescents on ART care. We investigated the rate of LTFU from HIV care and associated predictors among adolescents living with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania. A retrospective cohort analysis of adolescents on ART from January 2014 to December 2016 was performed. Kaplan-Meier method was used to determine failure probabilities and the Cox proportion hazard regression model was used to determine predictors of loss to follow up. A total of 25,484 adolescents were on ART between 2014 and 2016, of whom 78.4% were female and 42% of adolescents were lost to follow-up. Predictors associated with LTFU included; adolescents aged 15–19 years (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 1.57; 95% Confidence Interval (CI); 1.47–1.69), having HIV/TB co-infection (aHR: 1.58; 95% CI, 1.32–1.89), attending care at dispensaries (aHR: 1.12; 95% CI, 1.07–1.18) or health center (aHR: 1.10; 95% CI, 1.04–1.15), and being malnourished (aHR: 2.27; 95% CI,1.56–3.23). Moreover, residing in the Lake Zone and having advanced HIV disease were associated with LTFU. These findings highlight the high rate of LTFU and the need for intervention targeting older adolescents with advanced diseases and strengthening primary public facilities to achieve the 2030 goal of ending HIV as a public health threat.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Esther-Dorice Tesha
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Tanzania Field of Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- * E-mail:
| | - Rogath Kishimba
- Tanzania Field of Epidemiology and Laboratory Training Program, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Prosper Njau
- National AIDS Control Program, Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly, and Children, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Baraka Revocutus
- National AIDS Control Program, Ministry of Health, Community Development, Gender, Elderly, and Children, Dodoma, Tanzania
| | - Elia Mmbaga
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
- Department of Community Medicine and Global Health, University of Oslo, Oslo, Norway
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Yohannes NT, Jenkins CA, Clouse K, Cortés CP, Mejía Cordero F, Padgett D, Rouzier V, Friedman RK, McGowan CC, Shepherd BE, Rebeiro PF. Timing of HIV diagnosis relative to pregnancy and postpartum HIV care continuum outcomes among Latin American women, 2000 to 2017. J Int AIDS Soc 2021; 24:e25740. [PMID: 34021715 PMCID: PMC8140191 DOI: 10.1002/jia2.25740] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/30/2020] [Revised: 04/05/2021] [Accepted: 04/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND HIV incidence among women of reproductive age and vertical HIV transmission rates remain high in Latin America. We, therefore, quantified HIV care continuum barriers and outcomes among pregnant women living with HIV (WLWH) in Latin America. METHODS WLWH (aged ≥16 years) enrolling at Caribbean, Central and South America network for HIV epidemiology (CCASAnet) sites from 2000 to 2017 who had HIV diagnosis, pregnancy and delivery dates contributed. Logistic regression produced adjusted odds ratios (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) for retention in care (≥2 visits ≥3 months apart) and virological suppression (viral load <200 copies/mL) 12 months after pregnancy outcome. Cumulative incidences of loss to follow-up (LTFU) postpartum were estimated using Cox regression. Evidence of HIV status at pregnancy confirmation was the exposure. Covariates included pregnancy outcome (born alive vs. others); AIDS diagnosis prior to delivery; CD4, age, HIV-1 RNA and cART regimen at first delivery and CCASAnet country. RESULTS Among 579 WLWH, median postpartum follow-up was 4.34 years (IQR 1.91, 7.35); 459 (79%) were HIV-diagnosed before pregnancy confirmation, 445 (77%) retained in care and 259 (45%) virologically suppressed at 12 months of postpartum. Cumulative incidence of LTFU was 21% by 12 months and 40% by five years postpartum. Those HIV-diagnosed during pregnancy had lower odds of retention (aOR = 0.58, 95% CI: 0.35 to 0.97) and virological suppression (aOR = 0.50, 95% CI: 0.31 to 0.82) versus those HIV-diagnosed before. CONCLUSION HIV diagnosis during pregnancy was associated with poorer 12-month retention and virological suppression. Young women should be tested and linked to HIV care earlier to narrow these disparities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Cathy A Jenkins
- Department of BiostatisticsVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Kate Clouse
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDepartment of MedicineVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTNUSA
- Vanderbilt University School of NursingNashvilleTNUSA
| | | | - Fernando Mejía Cordero
- Instituto de Medicina Tropical Alexander von HumboldtUniversidad Peruana Cayetano HerediaLimaPeru
| | - Denis Padgett
- Instituto Hondureño de Seguridad Social & Hospital Escuela UniversitarioTegucigalpaHonduras
| | - Vanessa Rouzier
- Groupe Haitien d'Etudes du Sarcome de Kaposi et des Infections OpportunistesPort‐au‐PrinceHaiti
| | - Ruth K Friedman
- Instituto Nacional de Infectologia Evandro Chagas (INI)Fundação Oswaldo CruzRio de JaneiroBrazil
| | - Catherine C McGowan
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDepartment of MedicineVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Bryan E Shepherd
- Department of BiostatisticsVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTNUSA
| | - Peter F Rebeiro
- Department of BiostatisticsVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTNUSA
- Division of Infectious DiseasesDepartment of MedicineVanderbilt University Medical CenterNashvilleTNUSA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Etoori D, Wringe A, Renju J, Kabudula CW, Gomez-Olive FX, Reniers G. Challenges with tracing patients on antiretroviral therapy who are late for clinic appointments in rural South Africa and recommendations for future practice. Glob Health Action 2021; 13:1755115. [PMID: 32340584 PMCID: PMC7241554 DOI: 10.1080/16549716.2020.1755115] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: It is common practice for HIV programmes to routinely trace patients who are late for a scheduled clinic visit to ensure continued care engagement. In South Africa, patients who are late for a scheduled visit are identified from clinic registers, and called by telephone up to three times by designated clinic staff, with home visits conducted for those who are unreachable by phone. It is important to understand outcomes among late patients in order to have accurate mortality data, identify defaulters to attempt to re-engage them into care, and have accurate estimates of patients still in care for planning purposes. Objective: We conducted a study to assess whether tracing of HIV patients in clinics in rural north-eastern South Africa was implemented in line with national policies. Methods: Thirty-three person-day of observations took place during multiple visits to eight facilities between October 2017 and January 2018 during which clinic tracing processes were captured. The facility level implementation processes were compared to the intended tracing process and gaps and challenges were identified. Results: Challenges to implementing effective tracing procedures fell into three broad categories: i) facility-level barriers, ii) issues relating to data, documentation and record-keeping, and iii) challenges relating to the roles and responsibilities of the different actors in the tracing cascade. We recommend improving linkages between clinics, improving record-keeping systems, and regular training of community health workers involved in tracing activities. Improved links between clinics would reduce the chance of patients being lost between clinics. Record-keeping systems could be improved through motivating health workers to take ownership of their data and training them on the importance of complete data. Finally, training of community health workers may improve sustained motivation, and improve their ability to respond appropriately to their clients’ needs. Conclusions: Substantial investment in data infrastructure and healthcare staff training is needed to improve routine tracing.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- David Etoori
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Alison Wringe
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK
| | - Jenny Renju
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, Moshi, Tanzania
| | - Chodziwadziwa Whiteson Kabudula
- MRC/WITS Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Francesc Xavier Gomez-Olive
- MRC/WITS Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| | - Georges Reniers
- Department of Population Health, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK.,MRC/WITS Rural Public Health and Health Transitions Research Unit (Agincourt), School of Public Health, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Livesley N, Coly A, Karamagi E, Nsubuga-Nyombi T, Mwita SK, Ngonyani MM, Mvungi J, Kinyua K, Muange P, Ismail A, Quick T, Stern A. Reducing Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV Using Quality Improvement Approaches. J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care 2020; 18:2325958219855631. [PMID: 31213119 PMCID: PMC6748455 DOI: 10.1177/2325958219855631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Over half of mother-to-child HIV transmission (MTCT) occurs postdelivery. Keeping mother-infant pairs in care remains challenging. Health workers in 3 countries used quality improvement (QI) approaches to improve data systems, mother-infant retention, and facility-based care delivery. The number and proportion of infants with known HIV status at time of discharge from early infant diagnosis programs increased in Tanzania and Uganda. We analyzed data using statistical process control charts. Mother-to-child HIV transmission did not decrease in 15 Kenyan sites, decreased from 12.7% to 3.8% in 28 Tanzanian sites, and decreased from 17.2% to 1.5% in 10 Ugandan sites with baseline data. This improvement is likely due to the combination of option B+, service delivery improvements, and retention through QI approaches. Reaching the global MTCT elimination target and maximizing infant survival will require health systems to support mother-infant pairs to remain in care and support health workers to deliver care. Quality improvement approaches can support these changes.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Nigel Livesley
- 1 United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Applying Science to Strengthen and Improve Systems (ASSIST) Project, University Research Co, LLC (URC), Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Astou Coly
- 1 United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Applying Science to Strengthen and Improve Systems (ASSIST) Project, University Research Co, LLC (URC), Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Esther Karamagi
- 2 United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Applying Science to Strengthen and Improve Systems (ASSIST) Project, University Research Co, LLC (URC), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Tamara Nsubuga-Nyombi
- 2 United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Applying Science to Strengthen and Improve Systems (ASSIST) Project, University Research Co, LLC (URC), Kampala, Uganda
| | - Stella Kasindi Mwita
- 3 United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Applying Science to Strengthen and Improve Systems (ASSIST) Project, University Research Co, LLC (URC), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Monica M Ngonyani
- 3 United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Applying Science to Strengthen and Improve Systems (ASSIST) Project, University Research Co, LLC (URC), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Jane Mvungi
- 3 United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Applying Science to Strengthen and Improve Systems (ASSIST) Project, University Research Co, LLC (URC), Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
| | - Kevin Kinyua
- 4 United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Applying Science to Strengthen and Improve Systems (ASSIST) Project, University Research Co, LLC (URC), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Prisca Muange
- 4 United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Applying Science to Strengthen and Improve Systems (ASSIST) Project, University Research Co, LLC (URC), Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Anisa Ismail
- 1 United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Applying Science to Strengthen and Improve Systems (ASSIST) Project, University Research Co, LLC (URC), Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| | - Timothy Quick
- 5 US Agency for International Development Office of HIV/AIDS, Bureau for Global Health, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Amy Stern
- 1 United States Agency for International Development (USAID) Applying Science to Strengthen and Improve Systems (ASSIST) Project, University Research Co, LLC (URC), Chevy Chase, MD, USA
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
Byonanebye DM, Semitala FC, Katende J, Bakenga A, Arinaitwe I, Kyambadde P, Musinguzi P, Biraro IA, Byakika-Kibwika P, Kamya MR. High viral suppression and low attrition in healthy HIV-infected patients initiated on ART with CD4 above 500 cells/µL in a program setting in Uganda. Afr Health Sci 2020; 20:132-141. [PMID: 33402901 PMCID: PMC7750048 DOI: 10.4314/ahs.v20i1.18] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The World Health Organization recommends antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all HIV-infected patients at all CD4 counts. However, there are concerns that asymptomatic patients may have poorer viral suppression and high attrition. OBJECTIVES We sought to determine attrition and viral suppression among healthy HIV-infected patients initiated on ART in program settings. METHODS This cross-sectional study enrolled ART-experienced patients attending two PEPFAR-supported, high-volume clinics in Kampala, Uganda. Eligible patients were >18 years and had completed at least six months on ART. Participants were interviewed on socio-demographics, ART history and plasma viral load (VL) determined using Abbott Real-time. Predictors of viral suppression (<75 copies/ml) were determined using multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS Overall, 267 participants were screened, 228 were eligible and 203 (89%) retained in care (visit within 90 days). Of the 203 participants, 115 (56.7%) were key-populations. Viral suppression was achieved in 173 patients (85%; 95% CI, 80.3%-90.1%). The factors associated with viral suppression were prior VL tests (AOR 6.98; p-value <0.001) and receiving care from a general clinic (AOR 5.41; p=0.009). CONCLUSION Asymptomatic patients initiated on ART with high baseline CD4 counts, achieve high viral suppression with low risk of attrition. VL monitoring and clinic type are associated with viral suppression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Fred C Semitala
- Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
- Makerere University Joint AIDS Program, Kampala, Uganda
| | | | - Alex Bakenga
- Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
| | - Irene Arinaitwe
- Makerere University College of Computing and Information Science
| | | | | | | | | | - Moses R Kamya
- Makerere University College of Health Sciences, Kampala, Uganda
- Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala Uganda
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Mugglin C, Haas AD, van Oosterhout JJ, Msukwa M, Tenthani L, Estill J, Egger M, Keiser O. Long-term retention on antiretroviral therapy among infants, children, adolescents and adults in Malawi: A cohort study. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0224837. [PMID: 31725750 PMCID: PMC6855432 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0224837] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/03/2019] [Accepted: 10/22/2019] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Objectives We examine long-term retention of adults, adolescents and children on antiretroviral therapy under different HIV treatment guidelines in Malawi. Design Prospective cohort study. Setting and participants Adults and children starting ART between 2005 and 2015 in 21 health facilities in southern Malawi. Methods We used survival analysis to assess retention at clinic level, Cox regression to examine risk factors for loss to follow up, and competing risk analysis to assess long-term outcomes of people on antiretroviral therapy (ART). Results We included 132,274 individuals in our analysis, totalling 270,256 person years of follow up (PYFU; median per patient 1.3, interquartile range (IQR) 0.26–3.1), 62% were female and the median age was 32 years. Retention on ART was lower in the first year on ART compared to subsequent years for all guideline periods and age groups. Infants (0–3 years), adolescents and young adults (15–24 years) were at highest risk of LTFU. Comparing the different calendar periods of ART initiation we found that retention improved initially, but remained stable thereafter. Conclusion Even though the number of patients and the burden on health care system increased substantially during the study period of rapid ART expansion, retention on ART improved in the early years of ART provision, but gains in retention were not maintained over 5 years on ART. Reducing high attrition in the first year of ART should remain a priority for ART programs, and so should addressing poor retention among adolescents, young adults and men.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catrina Mugglin
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- * E-mail:
| | - Andreas D. Haas
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Joep J. van Oosterhout
- Dignitas International, Zomba, Malawi
- Department of Medicine, College of Medicine, University of Malawi, Blantyre, Malawi
| | - Malango Msukwa
- Baobab Health Trust, Lilongwe, Malawi
- Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Lyson Tenthani
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- I-TECH Malawi, Lilongwe, Malawi
| | - Janne Estill
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Matthias Egger
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Olivia Keiser
- Institute of Social and Preventive Medicine, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
- Institute of Global Health, University of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Rahmalia A, Price MH, Hartantri Y, Alisjahbana B, Wisaksana R, van Crevel R, van der Ven AJAM. Are there differences in HIV retention in care between female and male patients in Indonesia? A multi-state analysis of a retrospective cohort study. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0218781. [PMID: 31237899 PMCID: PMC6592601 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0218781] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/11/2019] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Little is known about HIV treatment outcomes in Indonesia, which has one of the most rapidly growing HIV epidemics worldwide. METHODS We examined possible differences in loss to follow-up (LTFU) and survival between HIV-infected females and males over a 7-year period in an HIV clinic in Bandung, West Java. Data imputation was performed on missing covariates and a multi-state Cox regression was used to investigate the effects of sex and other covariates on patient transitions among four states: (1) clinic enrollment with HIV, (2) initiation/continuation/re-initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART), (3) LTFU, and (4) death. RESULTS We followed 3215 patients (33% females), for a total of 8430 person-years. ART was used by 59% of patients at some point. One-year retention was 73% for females and 77% for males (p = 0.06). One-year survival was 98% for both females and males (p = 0.15). Females experienced a higher relative hazard to transition from HIV to LTFU (adjusted hazard ratio 1.21; 95% confidence interval 1.00-1.45), but this decreased after adjustments for clinical variables (aHR 0.94; 95% CI 0.79-1.11). Similarly, a lower relative hazard in females to transition from ART to death (aHR 0.59; 95% CI 0.35-0.99) decreased after adjustments for demographic variables. CONCLUSION This Indonesian cohort has low ART uptake and poor overall pre- and post-ART retention. Female-male differences in survival and retention were gone after adjusting for clinical and sociodemographic factors such as CD4 count and education level. Efforts should be made to improve retention among patients with lower education.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Annisa Rahmalia
- Infectious Disease Research Center, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Michael Holton Price
- Department of Anthropology, Pennsylvania State University, University Park, Pennsylvania, United States of America
- Santa Fe Institute, Santa Fe, New Mexico, United States of America
| | - Yovita Hartantri
- Infectious Disease Research Center, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Bachti Alisjahbana
- Infectious Disease Research Center, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Rudi Wisaksana
- Infectious Disease Research Center, Faculty of Medicine Universitas Padjadjaran, Bandung, Indonesia
- Department of Internal Medicine, Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, Bandung, Indonesia
| | - Reinout van Crevel
- Department of Internal Medicine, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | | |
Collapse
|
9
|
Predictors of Retention in HIV Care Among Youth (15-24) in a Universal Test-and-Treat Setting in Rural Kenya. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2018; 76:e15-e18. [PMID: 28394821 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001390] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
|
10
|
Ross J, Edmonds A, Hoover DR, Shi Q, Anastos K, Lelo P, Behets F, Yotebieng M. Association between pregnancy at enrollment into HIV care and loss to care among women in the Democratic Republic of Congo, 2006-2013. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0195231. [PMID: 29608618 PMCID: PMC5880386 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0195231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 03/08/2018] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Loss to care is high among asymptomatic HIV-infected women initiated on antiretroviral therapy (ART) during pregnancy or in the postpartum period. However, whether pregnancy itself plays a role in the high loss to care rate is uncertain. We compared loss to care over seven years between pregnant and non-pregnant women at enrollment into HIV care in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Methods We conducted a retrospective analysis of all ART-naive women aged 15–45 initiating HIV care at two large clinics in Kinshasa, DRC, from 2007–2013. Pregnancy status was recorded at care enrollment. Patients were classified as having no follow-up if they did not return to care after the initial enrollment visit. Among those with at least one follow-up visit after enrollment, we classified patients as lost to care if more than 365 days had passed since their last clinic visit. We used logistic regression to model the association between pregnancy status and no follow-up, and Cox proportional hazards regression to model the association between pregnancy status and time to loss to care. Results Of 2175 women included in the analysis, 1497 (68.8%) were pregnant at enrollment. Compared to non-pregnant women, pregnant women were less likely to be over 35 years of age (19.1% vs. 31.9%, p<0.0001) and less likely to be in WHO stage III or IV (9.0% vs. 26.3%, p<0.0001). Among pregnant women, 106 (7.1%) were not seen after enrollment, versus 25 (3.7%) non-pregnant women (adjusted odds ratio 2.01, 95% CI 1.24–3.24). Of the 2,044 women with at least one follow-up visit, 46.5% of pregnant women and 46.7% of non-pregnant women were lost to care by 5 years; hazards of loss to care were similar for pregnant and non-pregnant women (adjusted hazard ratio 1.08, 95% CI 0.93–1.26). Conclusions In this large cohort of HIV-infected women, patients pregnant at care enrollment were more likely to never return for follow-up. Among those who attended at least one follow-up visit, loss to care was not different between pregnant and non-pregnant women, suggesting that pregnancy itself may not be the main driver of the high attrition observed in this cohort.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan Ross
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine / Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States of America
- * E-mail:
| | - Andrew Edmonds
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Donald R. Hoover
- Department of Statistics and Biostatistics, Rutgers University, New Brunswick, NJ, United States of America
| | - Qiuhu Shi
- Department of Epidemiology and Community Health, New York Medical College, Valhalla, NY, United States of America
| | - Kathryn Anastos
- Department of Medicine, Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine, Albert Einstein College of Medicine / Montefiore Medical Center, Bronx, NY, United States of America
| | - Patricia Lelo
- Kalembelembe Pediatric Hospital, Kinshasa, The Democratic Republic of Congo
| | - Frieda Behets
- Department of Epidemiology, Gillings School of Global Public Health, The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, United States of America
| | - Marcel Yotebieng
- College of Public Health, Division of Epidemiology, The Ohio State University, Columbus, OH, United States of America
| |
Collapse
|
11
|
Risk factors and reasons for treatment abandonment among children with lymphoma in Malawi. Support Care Cancer 2017; 26:967-973. [PMID: 28986643 DOI: 10.1007/s00520-017-3917-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 10/02/2017] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Lymphoma is the commonest pediatric cancer in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Frequent treatment abandonment contributes to suboptimal outcomes. We examined risk factors and reasons for treatment abandonment for this population in Malawi. METHODS We conducted a mixed methods study among children < 18 years old with newly diagnosed lymphoma, prospectively enrolled during 2013-2016. All children received standardized diagnosis and treatment, and were followed for up to 2 years. Treatment abandonment was defined as failure to attend prescribed chemotherapy within 4 weeks, or post-treatment visit within 3 months. Child, guardian, and household characteristics associated with treatment abandonment were assessed. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with primary caregivers of children experiencing treatment abandonment. RESULTS Of 121 children with newly diagnosed lymphoma, 72 (60%) had complete information regarding child, guardian, and household characteristics. Of these, 56 (78%) had Burkitt's and 16 (22%) Hodgkin's lymphoma. Forty-nine (68%) were male, median age was 10.6 years (interquartile range [IQR] 7.9-13.0), and 26 (36%) experienced treatment abandonment. Lack of guardian education and travel time ≥ 4 h to clinic were independently associated with treatment abandonment, with adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) 3.8 [95% confidence interval (CI) 1.5-8.9, p = 0.005] and aHR 2.9 (95% CI 1.2-6.9, p = 0.019), respectively. Commonest reasons for treatment abandonment endorsed by 15 guardians were community influence, suboptimal clinic environment, logistical challenges, transport costs, treatment toxicities, loss of hope, alternative healers, and beliefs about cure. CONCLUSIONS These findings highlight families at risk for treatment abandonment, underlying reasons, and opportunities to improve retention in care for pediatric cancer patients in SSA.
Collapse
|
12
|
Rebeiro PF, Bakoyannis G, Musick BS, Braithwaite RS, Wools-Kaloustian KK, Nyandiko W, Some F, Braitstein P, Yiannoutsos CT. Observational Study of the Effect of Patient Outreach on Return to Care: The Earlier the Better. J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr 2017; 76:141-148. [PMID: 28604501 PMCID: PMC5597469 DOI: 10.1097/qai.0000000000001474] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The burden of HIV remains heaviest in resource-limited settings, where problems of losses to care, silent transfers, gaps in care, and incomplete mortality ascertainment have been recognized. METHODS Patients in care at Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH) clinics from 2001-2011 were included in this retrospective observational study. Patients missing an appointment were traced by trained staff; those found alive were counseled to return to care (RTC). Relative hazards of RTC were estimated among those having a true gap: missing a clinic appointment and confirmed as neither dead nor receiving care elsewhere. Sample-based multiple imputation accounted for missing vital status. RESULTS Among 34,522 patients lost to clinic, 15,331 (44.4%) had a true gap per outreach, 2754 (8.0%) were deceased, and 837 (2.4%) had documented transfers. Of 15,600 (45.2%) remaining without active ascertainment, 8762 (56.2%) with later RTC were assumed to have a true gap. Adjusted cause-specific hazard ratios (aHRs) showed early outreach (a ≤8-day window, defined by grid-search approach) had twice the hazard for RTC vs. those without (aHR = 2.06; P < 0.001). HRs for RTC were lower the later the outreach effort after disengagement (aHR = 0.86 per unit increase in time; P < 0.001). Older age, female sex (vs. male), antiretroviral therapy use (vs. none), and HIV status disclosure (vs. none) were also associated with greater likelihood of RTC, and higher enrollment CD4 count with lower likelihood of RTC. CONCLUSION Patient outreach efforts have a positive impact on patient RTC, regardless of when undertaken, but particularly soon after the patient misses an appointment.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Giorgos Bakoyannis
- Indiana University Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | | | - Ronald S. Braithwaite
- New York University School of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA
- Moi University School of Medicine, Eldoret, Kenya
| | | | | | - Fatma Some
- Moi University School of Medicine, Eldoret, Kenya
| | - Paula Braitstein
- Indiana University Fairbanks School of Public Health, Indianapolis, IN, USA
- Moi University School of Medicine, Eldoret, Kenya
- University of Toronto Dalla Lana School of Public Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | | |
Collapse
|
13
|
Chkhartishvili N, Chokoshvili O, Abutidze A, Dvali N, del Rio C, Tsertsvadze T. Progress Toward Achieving the UNAIDS 90-90-90 Goals in HIV Care From Diagnosis to Durable Viral Suppression in the Country of Georgia. AIDS Res Hum Retroviruses 2017; 33:999-1003. [PMID: 28051324 DOI: 10.1089/aid.2016.0103] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Successful engagement in HIV care is required to reach UNAIDS targets of 90-90-90. We analyzed routine programmatic data to quantify losses along the HIV care continuum in the country of Georgia. Analysis was limited to diagnosed persons and did not include estimated number of HIV-infected persons. Cascade of HIV care continuum was constructed for adult (age ≥18 years) HIV-infected persons newly diagnosed in Georgia in 2008-2012. Data were extracted from the national AIDS Health Information System as of June 30, 2014. Among 1,931 patients included, the median age was 37 years, 72% were men, and 40.7% had CD4 count <200 cells/mm3. A total of 1,711 (88.6%) were linked to care, 1,333 (69.0%) ever started antiretroviral therapy (ART), 1,044 (54.1%) ever achieved viral suppression, and 792 (41.0%) maintained viral suppression till the end of follow-up. Overall, 1,139 patients were lost from HIV diagnosis to maintaining viral suppression, including 761 (66.8%) patients who remained alive and 378 (33.2%) patients who died. Among 378 deceased patients, 324 (85.7%) died before achieving viral suppression after the median 3.5 months since diagnosis and 54 (14.3%) died after achieving viral suppression after the median 21.2 months since diagnosis. Among 761 alive patients without viral suppression, 297 (39.0%) were fully disengaged, 144 (18.9%) had never been prescribed ART, 161 (21.2) either never achieved suppression or discontinued ART, and 159 (20.9%) experienced rebound while on ART. Efforts are needed to improve earlier HIV diagnosis, to reduce the number of patients not in care, and to extend durability of viral suppression.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Otar Chokoshvili
- Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Akaki Abutidze
- Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Natia Dvali
- Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center, Tbilisi, Georgia
| | - Carlos del Rio
- Hubert Department of Global Health, Rollins School of Public Health and Department of Medicine, Emory University School of Medicine, Atlanta, Georgia
| | - Tengiz Tsertsvadze
- Infectious Diseases, AIDS and Clinical Immunology Research Center, Tbilisi, Georgia
- Faculty of Medicine, Ivane Javakhishvili Tbilisi State University, Tbilisi, Georgia
| |
Collapse
|
14
|
Gesesew HA, Ward P, Woldemichael K, Mwanri L. Prevalence, trend and risk factors for antiretroviral therapy discontinuation among HIV-infected adults in Ethiopia in 2003-2015. PLoS One 2017; 12:e0179533. [PMID: 28622361 PMCID: PMC5473588 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0179533] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/04/2017] [Accepted: 05/31/2017] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND It is well acknowledged that antiretroviral therapy (ART) discontinuation hampers the progress towards achieving the UNAIDS treatment targets that aim to treat 90% of HIV diagnosed patients and achieve viral suppression for 90% of those on treatment. Nevertheless, the magnitude, trend and risk factors for ART discontinuation have not been explored extensively. We carried out a retrospective data analysis to assess prevalence, trend and risk factors for ART discontinuation among adults in Southwest Ethiopia. METHODS 12 years retrospective cohort analysis was performed with 4900 HIV-infected adult patients between 21 June 2003 and 15 March 2015 registered at the ART clinic at Jimma University Teaching Hospital. ART discontinuation could be loss to follow-up, defaulting and/or stopping medication while remaining in care. Because data for 2003 and 2015 were incomplete, the 10 years data were used to describe trends for ART discontinuation using a line graph. We used binary logistic regression to identify factors that were correlated with ART discontinuation. To handle missing data, we applied multiple imputations assuming missing at random pattern. RESULTS In total, 4900 adult patients enrolled on ART, of whom 1090 (22.3%) had discontinued, 954 (19.5%) had transferred out, 300 (6.1%) had died, 2517 (51.4%) were alive and on ART, and the remaining 39 (0.8%) had unknown outcome status. The trend of ART discontinuation showed an upward direction in the recent times and reached a peak, accounting for a magnitude of 10%, in 2004 and 2005. Being a female (AOR = 2.1, 95%CI: 1.7-2.8), having an immunological failure (AOR = 2.3, 1.9-8.2), having tuberculosis/HIV co-infection (AOR = 1.5, 1.1-2.1) and no previous history of HIV testing (AOR = 1.8, 1.4-2.9) were the risk factors for ART discontinuation. CONCLUSIONS One out of five adults had discontinued from ART, and the trend of ART discontinuation increased recently. Discontinued adults were more likely to be females, tuberculosis/HIV co-infected, with immunological failure and no history of HIV testing. Therefore, it is vital to implement effective programs such as community ART distribution and linkage-case-management to enhance ART linkage and retention.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Hailay Abrha Gesesew
- Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
- Epidemiology, Jimma University, Jimma, Ethiopia
| | - Paul Ward
- Public Health, Flinders University, Adelaide, Australia
| | | | | |
Collapse
|
15
|
Schooley AL, Kamudumuli PS, Vangala S, Tseng CH, Soko C, Parent J, Phiri K, Jahn A, Namarika D, Hoffman RM. CD4 Variability in Malawi: Implications for Use of a CD4 Threshold of 500 Cells/mm 3 Versus Universal Eligibility for Antiretroviral Therapy. Open Forum Infect Dis 2016; 3:ofw180. [PMID: 27704028 PMCID: PMC5047419 DOI: 10.1093/ofid/ofw180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/29/2016] [Accepted: 08/23/2016] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
Background. Given the uncertainty about the ability of a single CD4 count to accurately classify a patient as antiretroviral therapy (ART) eligible, we sought to understand the extent to which CD4 variability results in misclassification at a CD4 threshold of 500 cells/mm3. Methods. We performed a prospective study of CD4 variability in Malawian human immunodeficiency virus-infected, ART-naive, World Health Organization (WHO) stage 1 or 2, nonpregnant adults. CD4 counts were performed daily for 8 days. We fit a Bayesian linear mixed-effects model of log-transformed CD4 cell counts to the data. We used Monte Carlo approximations to estimate misclassification rates for different observed values of CD4. The misclassification rate was calculated based on the conditional probability of true CD4 given the geometric mean of observed CD4 measurements. Results. Fifty patients were enrolled from 2 sites. The median age was 33.5 years (interquartile range, 27.5-40.0) and 34 (68%) were female. Misclassification rates were <1% when the observed CD4 counts were ≤250 or ≥750 cells/mm3. Rates of misclassification were high at observed CD4 counts between 350 and 650 cells/mm3, particularly when a single measurement was used (up to 46.7%). Conclusions. Our data show that ART eligibility based on a single CD4 count results in highest risk of misclassification when observed CD4 counts are in the range of 350-650 cells/mm3. Given the benefits of early ART, countries should weigh the costs and complexity of CD4 testing using a 500 cell/mm3 threshold against the cost savings and public health benefits of universal eligibility.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Alan L Schooley
- Partners in Hope Medical Center, Lilongwe, Malawi; Division of Infectious Diseases
| | | | - Sitaram Vangala
- Department of Medicine Statistics Core , University of California , Los Angeles
| | - Chi-Hong Tseng
- Department of Medicine Statistics Core , University of California , Los Angeles
| | | | - Julie Parent
- Partners in Hope Medical Center , Lilongwe , Malawi
| | - Khumbo Phiri
- Partners in Hope Medical Center , Lilongwe , Malawi
| | - Andreas Jahn
- University of Washington Department of Global Health , International Training and Education Center for Health and Ministry of Health , Lilongwe , Malawi
| | - Dan Namarika
- Partners in Hope Medical Center , Lilongwe , Malawi
| | | |
Collapse
|
16
|
Machine EM, Gillespie SL, Homedes N, Selwyn BJ, Ross MW, Anabwani G, Schutze G, Kline MW. Lost to follow-up: failure to engage children in care in the first three months of diagnosis. AIDS Care 2016; 28:1402-10. [PMID: 27160542 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2016.1179714] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Loss to follow-up (LTFU) is a critical factor in determining clinical outcomes in HIV treatment programs. Identifying modifiable factors of LTFU is fundamental for designing effective patient-retention interventions. We analyzed factors contributing to children LTFU from a treatment program to identify those that can be modified. A case-control study involving 313 children was used to compare the sociodemographic and clinical characteristics of children LTFU (cases) with those remaining in care (controls) at a large pediatric HIV care setting in Botswana. We traced children through caregiver contacts and those we found, we conducted structured interviews with patients' caregivers. Children <5 years were nearly twice as likely as older children to be LTFU (57·8% versus 30·9%, p <0 .01). Approximately half (47·6%, n = 51) of LTFU patients failed to further engage in care after just one clinic visit, as compared to less than 1% (n = 2) in the control group (p < 0.01). Children LTFU were more likely than controls to have advanced disease, greater immunosuppression, and not to be receiving antiretroviral therapy. Among interviewed patient caregivers, psychosocial factors (e.g., stigma, religious beliefs, child rebellion, disclosure of HIV status) were characteristics of patients LTFU, but not of controls. Socioeconomic factors (e.g., lack of transportation, school-related activities, forgetting appointments) were cited predominantly by the controls. Pediatric patients and their caregivers need to be targeted and engaged at their initial clinic visit, with special attention to children <5 years. Possible interventions include providing psychosocial support for issues that deter patients from engaging with The Clinic. Collaboration with community-based organizations focused on reducing stigma may be useful in addressing these complex issues.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
| | - Susan L Gillespie
- a Department of Pediatrics , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Nuria Homedes
- b The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health) School of Public Health , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Beatrice J Selwyn
- b The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston (UT Health) School of Public Health , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Michael W Ross
- c Department of Family Medicine and Community Health , University of Minnesota Medical School , Minneapolis , MN , USA
| | - Gabriel Anabwani
- d Botswana-Baylor Children's Clinical Centre of Excellence , Gaborone , Botswana
| | - Gordon Schutze
- a Department of Pediatrics , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| | - Mark W Kline
- a Department of Pediatrics , Baylor College of Medicine , Houston , TX , USA
| |
Collapse
|
17
|
Tymejczyk O, Hoffman S, Kulkarni SG, Gadisa T, Lahuerta M, Remien RH, Elul B, El-Sadr W, Melaku Z, Nash D. HIV Care and Treatment Beliefs among Patients Initiating Antiretroviral Treatment (ART) in Oromia, Ethiopia. AIDS Behav 2016; 20:998-1008. [PMID: 26346333 DOI: 10.1007/s10461-015-1184-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
To better understand patient beliefs, which may influence adherence to HIV care and treatment, we examined three dimensions of beliefs among Ethiopian adults (n = 1177) initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART). Beliefs about benefits of ART/HIV clinical care were largely accurate, but few patients believed in the ability of ART to prevent sexual transmission and many thought Holy Water could cure HIV. Factors associated with lower odds of accurate beliefs included advanced HIV, lack of formal education, and Muslim religion (benefits of ART/clinical care); secondary or university education and more clinic visits (ART to prevent sexual transmission); and pregnancy and Orthodox Christian religion (Holy Water). Assessment of patient beliefs may help providers identify areas needing reinforcement. In this setting, counselors also need to stress the benefits of ART as prevention and that Holy Water should not be used to the exclusion of HIV care and ART.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Olga Tymejczyk
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Urban Public Health, Hunter College, City University of New York, 2180 Third Avenue, New York, NY, 10035, USA.
| | - Susie Hoffman
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Sarah Gorrell Kulkarni
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Urban Public Health, Hunter College, City University of New York, 2180 Third Avenue, New York, NY, 10035, USA
| | - Tsigereda Gadisa
- ICAP-Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Maria Lahuerta
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- ICAP-Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Robert H Remien
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Batya Elul
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wafaa El-Sadr
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- ICAP-Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Zenebe Melaku
- ICAP-Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, NY, USA
| | - Denis Nash
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, School of Urban Public Health, Hunter College, City University of New York, 2180 Third Avenue, New York, NY, 10035, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, Mailman School of Public Health, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
- HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, New York, NY, USA
| |
Collapse
|
18
|
Ojwang' VO, Penner J, Blat C, Agot K, Bukusi EA, Cohen CR. Loss to follow-up among youth accessing outpatient HIV care and treatment services in Kisumu, Kenya. AIDS Care 2015; 28:500-7. [PMID: 26565428 DOI: 10.1080/09540121.2015.1110234] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Youth are particularly vulnerable to acquiring HIV, yet reaching them with HIV prevention interventions and engaging and retaining those infected in care and treatment remains a challenge. We sought to determine the incidence rate of loss to follow-up (LTFU) and explore socio-demographic and clinical characteristics associated with LTFU among HIV-positive youth aged 15-21 years accessing outpatient care and treatment clinics in Kisumu, Kenya. Between July 2007 and September 2010, youth were enrolled into two different HIV care and treatment clinics, one youth specific and the other family oriented. An individual was defined as LTFU when absent from the HIV treatment clinic for ≥ 4 months regardless of their antiretroviral treatment status. The incidence rate of LTFU was calculated and Cox regression analysis used to identify factors associated with LTFU. A total of 924 youth (79% female) were enrolled, with a median age of 20 years (IQR 18-21). Over half, (529 (57%)), were documented as LTFU, of whom 139 (26%) were LTFU immediately after enrolment. The overall incidence rate of LTFU was 52.9 per 100 person-years (p-y). Factors associated with LTFU were pregnancy during the study period (crude HR 0.68, 95% CI 0.53-0.89); CD4 cell count >350 (adjusted hazard ratios (AHR) 0.59, 95% CI 0.39-0.90); not being on antiretroviral therapy (AHR 4.0, 95% CI 2.70-5.88); and non-disclosure of HIV infection status (AHR 1.43, 95% CI 1.10-1.89). The clinic of enrolment, age, marital status, employment status, WHO clinical disease stage and education level were not associated with LTFU. Interventions to identify and enrol youth into care earlier, support disclosure, and initiate ART earlier may improve retention of youth and need further investigation. Further research is also needed to explore the reasons for LTFU from care among HIV-infected youth and the true outcomes of these patients.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- V O Ojwang'
- a Family AIDS Care & Education Services (FACES) , Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) , Nairobi , Kenya
| | - J Penner
- a Family AIDS Care & Education Services (FACES) , Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) , Nairobi , Kenya.,b Department of Family Practice , University of British Columbia , Vancouver , Canada
| | - C Blat
- a Family AIDS Care & Education Services (FACES) , Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) , Nairobi , Kenya.,c Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Reproductive Sciences , University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA
| | - K Agot
- d Impact Research and Development Organization , Kisumu , Kenya
| | - E A Bukusi
- a Family AIDS Care & Education Services (FACES) , Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) , Nairobi , Kenya
| | - C R Cohen
- a Family AIDS Care & Education Services (FACES) , Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR), Kenya Medical Research Institute (KEMRI) , Nairobi , Kenya.,c Department of Obstetrics, Gynaecology & Reproductive Sciences , University of California , San Francisco , CA , USA
| |
Collapse
|