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Non-uptake of viral load testing among people receiving HIV treatment in Gomba district, rural Uganda

ABSTRACT: Background Viral load (VL) testing is the gold-standard approach for monitoring human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) treatment success and virologic failure, but uptake is suboptimal in resource-limited and rural settings. We conducted a cross-sectional study of risk factors for non-uptake of VL testing in rural Uganda. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional analysis of uptake of VL testing among randomly selected people with HIV (PWH) receiving anti-retroviral treatment (ART) for at least 6 months at all eight primary health centers in Gomba district, rural Uganda. Socio-demographic and clinical data were extracted from medical records for the period January to December 2017. VL testing was routinely performed 6?months after ART initiation and 12?months thereafter for PWH stable on ART. We used descriptive statistics and multivariable logistic regression to evaluate factors associated with non-uptake of VL testing (the primary outcome). Results Of 414 PWH, 60% were female, and the median age was 40?years (interquartile range [IQR] 31–48). Most (62.3%) had been on ART >?2?years, and the median duration of treatment was 34?months (IQR 14–55). Thirty three percent did not receive VL testing: 36% of women and 30% of men. Shorter duration of ART (?2?years) (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.38; 95% CI:1.37–4.12; p =?0.002), younger age 16–30?years (AOR 2.74; 95% CI:1.44–5.24; p =?0.002) and 31–45?years (AOR 1.92; 95% CI 1.12–3.27; p =?0.017), and receipt of ART at Health Center IV (AOR 2.85; 95% CI: 1.78–4.56; p

SUBMITTER: Nakalega R

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7539500 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature

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Project description:BackgroundFew studies have explored how economic incentives influence behavioral outcomes. This study aimed to identify pathways of action of an incentives-based intervention to increase men's participation in HIV testing.MethodsThe qualitative study was embedded in a randomized-controlled trial that compared effectiveness of gain-framed, loss-framed and lottery-based incentives to increase HIV testing among men. Following testing at a community health campaign, 60 in-depth interviews were conducted with men systematically sampled on the basis of age, incentive group, and campaign attendance. Data were coded deductively and inductively for thematic content analysis.ResultsIncentives addressed men's structural, interpersonal and individual-level barriers to testing: offered at convenient locations, incentives offset costs of testing, in lost wages, which are exacerbated when livelihoods required mobility. Interpersonal barriers included anticipated stigma/fear of disclosure, social obligations, and negative peer influences. Providing incentives in public settings provided "social proof" that prizes could be won, and facilitated social support and positive norms by promoting testing with trusted others. Incentives had little influence when men appraised prize values to be low, disbelieved they would win a prize, or were already intrinsically motivated to test. Yet, incentives provided a behavioral 'cue to action' for many men who perceived themselves to be susceptible to HIV and perceived HIV disease to be severe, acting as secondary motivator for testing that "sweetened the deal".ConclusionIncentives can be an important 'lever' to promote men's healthy behaviors in resource-poor settings. HIV testing in convenient, public settings, when paired with incentives, provides multiple pathways to stimulate men's testing uptake.Trial registrationRegistered with ClinicalTrials.gov on 08/10/2016, ID: NCT02890459. The first participant was enrolled on 11th April 2016.

Project description:BackgroundViral load (VL) monitoring of pregnant women living with HIV (PWLHIV) and antiretroviral therapy (ART) may contribute to lowering the risk of vertical transmission of HIV. The aims of this study were to assess the uptake of HIV VL testing among PWLHIV at entry to the prevention-of-mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services and identify facilitatory factors and barriers to HIV VL access.MethodsA retrospective, cross-sectional study was conducted at 15 health facilities in Mutare district, Manicaland Province, Zimbabwe from January to December 2018. This analysis was complemented by prospective interviews with PWLHIV and health care providers between October 2019 and March 2020. Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential statistical methods. Risk factors were evaluated using multivariate logistic regression. Open-ended questions were analysed and recurring and shared experiences and perceptions of PWLHIV and health care providers identified.ResultsAmong 383 PWLHIV, enrolled in antenatal care (ANC) and receiving ART, only 121 (31.6%) had a VL sample collected and 106 (88%) received their results. Among these 106 women, 93 (87.7%) had a VL < 1000 copies/mL and 77 (73%) a VL < 50 copies/mL. The overall median duration from ANC booking to VL sample collection was 87 (IQR, 7-215) days. The median time interval for the return of VL results from date of sample collection was 14 days (IQR, 7-30). There was no significant difference when this variable was stratified by time of ART initiation. VL samples were significantly less likely to be collected at local authority compared to government facilities (aOR = 0.28; 95% CI 0.16-0.48). Barriers to VL testing included staff shortages, non-availability of consumables and sub-optimal sample transportation. Turnaround time was prolonged by the manual results feedback system.Conclusions and recommendationThe low rate of HIV VL testing among PWLHIV in Mutare district is a cause for concern. To reverse this situation, the Ministry of Health should consider interventions such as disseminating antiretroviral guidelines and policies electronically, conducting regular PMTCT mentorship for clinical staff members, and utilising point of care testing and telecommunication devices like mHealth to increase uptake of VL testing and improve results turnaround time.

Project description:OBJECTIVES:In 2017, Myanmar implemented routine viral load (VL) monitoring for assessing the response to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among people living with HIV (PLHIV). The performance of routine VL testing and implementation challenges has not yet assessed. We aimed to determine the uptake of VL testing and factors associated with it among PLHIV initiated on ART during 2017 in ART clinics of Yangon region and to explore the implementation challenges as perceived by the healthcare providers. DESIGN:An explanatory mixed-methods study was conducted. The quantitative component was a cohort study, and the qualitative part was a descriptive study with in-depth interviews. SETTING:Six ART clinics operated by AIDS/sexually transmitted infection teams under the National AIDS Programme. PRIMARY OUTCOME MEASURES:(1) The proportion who underwent VL testing by 30 March 2019 and the proportion with virological suppression (plasma VL <1000 copies/mL); (2) association between patient characteristics and 'not tested' was assessed using log binomial regression and (3) qualitative codes on implementation challenges. RESULTS:Of the 567 PLHIV started on ART, 498 (87.8%) retained in care for more than 6?months and were eligible for VL testing. 288 (57.8%, 95%?CI: 53.3% to 62.2%) PLHIV underwent VL testing, of which 263 (91.3%, 95%?CI: 87.1% to 94.4%) had virological suppression. PLHIV with WHO clinical stage 4 had significantly higher rates of 'not being tested' for VL. Collection of sample for VL testing only twice a month, difficulties in sample collection and transportation, limited trained workforce, wage loss and out-of-pocket expenditure for patients due to added visits were major implementation challenges. CONCLUSIONS:The VL test uptake was low, with only six out of ten PLHIV tested. The VL testing uptake needs to be improved by strengthening sample collection and transportation, adopting point-of-care VL tests, increasing trained workforce, providing compensation to patients for wage loss and travel costs for additional visits.

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Non-uptake of viral load testing among people receiving HIV treatment in Gomba district, rural Uganda

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