Viral Load Suppression and Associated Factors among Young Adults Living with HIV at Muhima District Hospital

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Background: It was estimated that 36.7 million people lived with HIV globally, and approximately half were on antiretroviral therapy. In both resourced and resource-limited settings, retention in care and rates of viral suppression are lower in adolescents and young adults when compared with older adults or younger children. In Rwanda, among adolescents and young adults (those aged 13-24 years), the prevalence of HIV varied geographically, ranging from 2.2% in the North to 4.3% in the City of Kigali. The aim of this study was to assess the factors associated with viral load suppression among HIV positive adolescents and young adults at Muhima District Hospital. Methods: A cross-sectional study with quantitative approach was conducted on 361 selected sample using systematic sampling techniques, data were collected using interviewer-administered questionnaires and processed and analyzed using SPSS Version 21, bivariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were used to determine the factor associated with viral load suppression among HIV positive adolescents and young adults at Muhima district hospital, significant of statistical association will be tested using 95% confidence interval and p-value (<0.05). Results: Among 361 respondents, Female were 68.1%; 82.3% were single and 85.6% were aged from 20-30. The results indicated that 62% of respondents took the ARV as prescribed (good adherence) to ART; 98.1% observed positive health benefits from using ARV drugs, however 16.1% failed to take prescribed ARVs because of hiding from friends their HIV status and 15% due to forgetfulness. Non-suppressed viral load was found from 29% of respondents. Adolescence period (15-20) (AOR=1.14 95%CI: 1.008 - 2.442), Having no formal education (AOR=2.71, 95%CI: 1.211-3.061, P=0.002) primary education (AOR = 1.84, 95%CI: 1.154-2.074, P=0.019), failure to attend clinic schedule (AOR=3.29, 95%CI: 1.009 - 4.120, P=0.022), alcohol consumption (AOR=4.09, 95%CI: 2.03 - 6.302, P=0.026), comorbid condition (TB) (AOR = 2.08 , 95%CI: 1.042 - 3.981, P=0.029) increased the odds to non-suppressed viral load. Conclusion: The viral load suppression is quite lower than the county’s viral load suppression. Interventions targeting adherence support, stigma reduction, and peer support should be implemented to improve viral load suppression among HIV-positive adolescents and young adults.