Abstract
BackgroundThe implementation of national antiretroviral therapy (ART) and expanded ART policies results in that more and more HIV-infected patients receive ART in Kunming, Yunnan province, China. At the same time, however, the number of patients, who drop-out from ART, are also increasing. In this study, we explored the factors that may account for drop-out.MethodsFour hundred and thirty-nine HIV-infected patients, who received or used to receive ART, were recruited in this study. Their age is among 18 and 75. All patients were divided into two group: ART group (187 patients) and drop-out group (252 patients). Appropriate bio-statistics analysis, including univariate analysis and Multivariate analysis, were used to identify factors associated with drop-out.ResultsData from all patients were analyzed. Univariate analysis suggested that the factors associated with drop-out may include age, residential area, educational level, occupation, monthly income, the access to minimum living allowance, HIV transmission route, and living status. On the other hand, factors including area, monthly income, the access to minimum living allowance, and referral methods of follow-up institutions account for drop-out in multivariate analysis.ConclusionsThis study identified a number of factors associated with drop out from ART. Based on our findings,appropriate interventions should be introduced decrease drop-out.
Highlights
The implementation of national antiretroviral therapy (ART) and expanded ART policies results in that more and more Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected patients receive ART in Kunming, Yunnan province, China
The purpose of this study is to analyze the reasons and influencing factors of HIVinfected people dropping out from antiretroviral therapy in Kunming city, and explore the measures to reduce the rate of dropout from ART
A total of 439 valid questionnaires were collected. 252 cases were in the drop out group and 187 cases were in the group retained in care
Summary
The implementation of national antiretroviral therapy (ART) and expanded ART policies results in that more and more HIV-infected patients receive ART in Kunming, Yunnan province, China. The number of patients, who drop-out from ART, are increasing. Kunming is the capital of Yunnan Province. In 1991, the first local HIV-infected case was reported in Kunming. By the end of 2018, there are about 15,000 infected patients living with HIV or AIDS. Kunming makes up 14% HIVpatients of Yunnan province. Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is the key and effective strategy for AIDS prevention and control. ART can prolong life for HIV-infected patients [1], and prevent continued HIV transmission [2].
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