Gaps in HIV treatment and care in Morocco.

Abstract

Background: HIV remains a public health concern in Morocco, with persistent gaps in early diagnosis and retention in care, particularly outside major urban centres.

Aim: To describe HIV care delivery and patient outcomes at a referral centre in Safi, Morocco.

Methods: We collected and analysed sociodemographic, clinic and biological data of 283 HIV-confirmed patients who were actively followed up between December 2018 and December 2021 at the HIV referral centre of Mohamed V Provincial Hospital, Safi, Morocco.

Results: Sexual transmission accounted for 91.1% of infections. At diagnosis, 53.6% were asymptomatic. Treatment coverage was 92.6%. Median CD4 cell count increased from 351 cells/mm³ at initiation to 597 cells/mm³ after 12 months. Viral suppression increased from 45.8% at 3 months to 88.0% at 12 months. Of the patients, 10.2% were lost to follow-up, 6.7% died and 3.6% were transferred to other centres.

Conclusion: Although treatment coverage and virologic outcomes were high among the patients, late diagnosis, loss to follow-up and mortality remain important challenges, indicating the need for interventions to address the underlying challenges.