Abstract
ObjectiveThe study aims to assess changes in HIV treatment outcomes for Jamaica after the implementation of the WHO Treat All strategy in January 2017, as well as identify variables associated with clinical stage at diagnosis and viral load status, in order to understand implications for enhancing the HIV clinical cascade and boosting progress towards the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets.MethodThis is a population-based study using the National Treatment Service Information System. The sample consists of persons 15 years and older, placed on treatment before and after Treat All was implemented, across all 4 regional health authorities in Jamaica. Patients were assessed for two binary outcomes: 1. stage at HIV diagnosis (early/baseline CD4 cell count ≧350 cells/mm3, or late/ baseline CD4 <350 cells/mm3), 2. viral load status achieved after ART initiation (suppressed/<1000 copies/ml or non-suppressed/ ≥1000 copies/ml). Categorical variables: age/years, gender and health regions, were investigated using multivariable logistic regression. Adjusted odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals are reported.ResultsAfter Treat All, there was an increase in median baseline CD4 results as the proportion of late diagnoses decreased from 60% to 39%. There was a small increase in viral suppression from 76% to 80%, a decrease in baseline viral load testing from 61% to 46% and an increase in the uptake of first viral load testing after starting treatment from 13% to 19%. Males and persons 40+ years had higher odds of late diagnosis before and after Treat All.ConclusionJamaica’s HIV program outcomes have improved after Treat All was implemented. ART initiation time significantly decreased. Early diagnosis, viral load testing uptake and viral suppression increased. However, there is a need to implement targeted testing for men and persons over 40 years to decrease the frequency of late diagnosis.
Highlights
As of 2018, Jamaica recorded an adult HIV prevalence of 1.5%, with an estimated 32,617 persons living with HIV (PLHIV) [1]
After Treat All, there was an increase in median baseline CD4 results as the proportion of late diagnoses decreased from 60% to 39%
There was a small increase in viral suppression from 76% to 80%, a decrease in baseline viral load testing from 61% to 46% and an increase in the uptake of first viral load testing after starting treatment from 13% to 19%
Summary
As of 2018, Jamaica recorded an adult HIV prevalence of 1.5%, with an estimated 32,617 persons living with HIV (PLHIV) [1]. To improve HIV treatment outcomes, the WHO Treat All strategy was implemented in January 2017 [2]. Treat All is recognized as the primary strategy for achieving the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets [3]. Compared with the global achievement of 75-79-81 [5], Jamaica has made progress in testing/diagnosis but retention on treatment and viral suppression are lagging. Treat All has several objectives, including early diagnosis of HIV, immediate initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and viral suppression [6]. In 2017, 33% of Jamaicans on HIV treatment were diagnosed at a late HIV stage [2], justifying the implementation of Treat All. Sustained viral suppression is the goal of HIV treatment programs [11, 12] because of evidence showing undetectable viral load improves the health of PLHIV and makes HIV less likely to be transmitted [13]. Virologic data provides useful information such as possible treatment failure and drug resistance [14]
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