Abstract
IntroductionSouth Africa adopted and implemented the Universal Test and Treat (UTT) strategy for HIV since 2016. However, the care outcomes for patients initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) through the UTT strategy have not been established. We determined the rate of lost to follow up (LTFU) and associated factors in patients who were initiated on ART through the UTT and the pre-ART strategy at 12 months post ART initiation.Methodsthis retrospective study analyzed the records of a cohort of patients at 12 months post the initiation of ART. We extracted data from the TIER.Net electronic database of selected facilities in a sub-district in Gauteng Province, South Africa. Factors associated with LFTU at 12 months of ART were assessed and logistic regression performed to identify predictors of LFTU.Resultsrecords of 367 patients were evaluated, and 54% were initiated ART through the UTT strategy. The mean age was 36.3 years, mean CD4 cell count at ART initiation was 341 cells/mm3, and 25% were initiated at CD4 cell count above 500 cells/mm3. LTFU at 12 months was 28%, 50% were LFTU within six months, and 28% within three months of ART. LFTU in the UTT cohort was higher than in the pre-ART cohort, patients initiated through UTT were twice more likely to be LTFU (AOR = 1.84, CI: 1.13-3.00) than pre-ART patients.Conclusionthe rate of LTFU at 12 months of ART was 28%, which indicate that the retention in care rate (60%) falls far short of the triple 90 targets required for viral suppression.
Highlights
South Africa adopted and implemented the Universal Test and Treat (UTT) strategy for HIV since 2016
LFTU in the UTT cohort was higher than in the pre-antiretroviral therapy (ART) cohort, patients initiated through UTT were twice more likely to be lost to follow up (LTFU) (AOR = 1.84, CI: 1.13-3.00) than pre-ART patients
The Universal Test and Treat triple 90 targets require that 90% of all people living with HIV (PLHIV) know their status, 90% of all people diagnosed with HIV receive sustained ART, and 90% of all people receiving ART are retained in care and have durable viral suppression [1]
Summary
South Africa adopted and implemented the Universal Test and Treat (UTT) strategy for HIV since 2016. The care outcomes for patients initiated antiretroviral therapy (ART) through the UTT strategy have not been established. Results: records of 367 patients were evaluated, and 54% were initiated ART through the UTT strategy. Conclusion: the rate of LTFU at 12 months of ART was 28%, which indicate that the retention in care rate (60%) falls far short of the triple 90 targets required for viral suppression. An estimated 12.9 million of people living with HIV (PLHIV) in eastern and southern Africa were accessing ART [1]. The Universal Test and Treat triple 90 targets require that 90% of all PLHIV know their status, 90% of all people diagnosed with HIV receive sustained ART, and 90% of all people receiving ART are retained in care and have durable viral suppression [1]. To reduce mortality and infectivity, patients need to remain in care and actively attend and participate in ART care programs to receive medication and to have their HIV clinical indicators monitored at proper frequencies [4,7]
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