Abstract
Background: The adult ART (antiretroviral therapy) programme started in Nigeria in 2002. After many years of ART in the country, the National implementation plan for the scale up of viral load testing was launched in 2016. Viral load estimation is the most important indicator of ART response. Aim: To describe viral suppression in adults on the HIV ART programme Material & methods: Viral load blood samples of 9450 adults on highly active antiretroviral therapy living with HIV from 4 states within Nigeria were analyzed for HIV RNA in Polymerase Chain Reaction laboratory of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe between December 2017 and December 2019. Results: Males were 2577/9450 (27.3%) and 6873 (72.7%) females. Adults aged 26 - 45 years constituted 69.5% (6572). Viral load test was primarily routine in 96.3% (9098). ART was AZT/3TC/NVP in 52.5% (4962); TDF/3TC/EFV in 46.3% (4375). 48.3% (4568/9450) adults had received HAART for 1 - 5 years; 7.4% (699) for 6 months but 10 years. The most recent CD4 count before viral load request was ≥1000/μL in 6.5% (612) of adults; 500 - 999/μL in 38.6% (3651); 350 - 499 μL in 23.2% (2195) and 1000 c/ml in 22.8% (587/2577) males and 23.0% (1580/6873) females. Of adults aged 19 - 25 years, 28.4% (211/743) had viral load >1000 c/ml; 23.5% (1544/6572); 20.0% (294/1473); 17.8% (93/523) and 18.0% (25/139) aged 26 - 45 years, 46 - 55 years; 56 - 65 years and >65 years also had viral load >1000 c/ml (p value 1000 c/ml in 26.0% (182/699) of adults on HAART for 6 months - 1 year and 21.3% (975/4568) after receiving HAART for 1 - 5 years. 24.9% (885/3551) and 19.8% (125/632) adults had viral load > 1000 c/ml after receiving HAART for 6 - 10 and >10 years respectively. (p value < 0.001) Conclusion: Over all viral suppression of 77% in our study is high but fell below the WHO threshold of 90%. ART programme in Nigeria requires strengthening.
Highlights
The global scale-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) under the public health approach of standardized and simplified regimens has registered significant gains, with increasing access to treatment for millions of people, and a reduction in new infections and HIV-associated morbidity and mortality and by end of 2019, 25.4 million people were receiving antiretroviral treatment worldwide [1]
Aim: To describe viral suppression in adults on the HIV ART programme Material & methods: Viral load blood samples of 9450 adults on highly active antiretroviral therapy living with HIV from 4 states within Nigeria were analyzed for HIV RNA in Polymerase Chain Reaction laboratory of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Gombe between December 2017 and December 2019
Mar. 15, 2021 years; 56 - 65 years and >65 years had viral load >1000 c/ml (p value < 0.001) Viral load was >1000 c/ml in 26.0% (182/699) of adults on HAART for 6 months - 1 year and 21.3% (975/4568) after receiving HAART for 1 - 5 years. 24.9% (885/3551) and 19.8% (125/632) adults had viral load > 1000 c/ml after receiving HAART for 6 - 10 and >10 years respectively. (p value < 0.001) Conclusion: Over all viral suppression of 77% in our study is high but fell below the WHO threshold of 90%
Summary
The global scale-up of antiretroviral therapy (ART) under the public health approach of standardized and simplified regimens has registered significant gains, with increasing access to treatment for millions of people, and a reduction in new infections and HIV-associated morbidity and mortality and by end of 2019, 25.4 million people were receiving antiretroviral treatment worldwide [1]. Nigeria lags behind the ambitious treatment targets set by the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS), the 90-90-90 strategy by 2020. This goal stipulates that by 2020, 90% of all people living with HIV will know their HIV status; 90% of all people with diagnosed; HIV infection will receive sustained antiretroviral therapy; and 90% of all people receiving antiretroviral therapy will have viral suppression; as well as the elimination of AIDS as a public health threat by 2030 [4] [5]. Of adults aged 19 - years, 28.4% (211/743) had viral load >1000 c/ml; 23.5% (1544/6572); 20.0% (294/1473); 17.8% (93/523) and 18.0% (25/139) aged - 45 years, 46 - 55
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