HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care最新文献

{"title":"HIV-Related Stigma Among Pregnant Adolescents: A Qualitative Study of Patient Perspectives in Southwestern Uganda [Letter].","authors":"Melkhianus Hendrik Pentury, Joan Herly Herwawan, Fandro Armando Tasijawa","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S498626","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/HIV.S498626","url":null,"abstract":"","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":"16 ","pages":"381-382"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-12","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11481989/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142477419","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Erratum: HIV-Related Stigma Among Pregnant Adolescents: A Qualitative Study of Patient Perspectives in Southwestern Uganda [Corrigendum].","authors":"","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S500199","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/HIV.S500199","url":null,"abstract":"<p><p>[This corrects the article DOI: 10.2147/HIV.S463506.].</p>","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":"16 ","pages":"379-380"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-10-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11482246/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142477418","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Accelerating Success of HIV/AIDS Control Programs: The Significance of Health-Care Workers' Competence.","authors":"Tanazio Byamugisha, Fred Alinda, Samuel Lev Tushaboha, Godwin Kwemarira, Mahadih Kyambade","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S478956","DOIUrl":"10.2147/HIV.S478956","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>- Despite the competence-building framework and interventions, the success of HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment programs remains unsatisfactory with scanty empirical evidence on the significance of professional competence to the success of HIV/AIDS control programs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>- Using a triangulation of quantitative and qualitative data, from 40 health-care workers and 9 managers of the HIV/AIDS program in Kagadi District, this article analyzes the professional and cultural competencies among health-care workers and the significance of the competencies to the success of HIV/AIDS control programs. Descriptive statistics were generated to describe health-care workers' opinions on their competence and success of HIV/AIDS control programs. In addition, a regression model was fitted to estimate the contribution of health-care workers' competence to the success of HIV/AIDS control programs. This quantitative analysis was triangulated with a thematic analysis of key informants' views.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>- Findings indicate that health-care workers' competence bears a positive statistically significant contribution to the success of HIV/AIDS control programs. Employee competence is necessary but not sufficient to foster the full realization of desired results from HIV/AIDS control programs.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>- Managers of HIV/AIDS control programs need to prioritize and continuously train health-care workers to boost their professional and cultural skills to effectively deliver interventional activities under HIV/AIDS control programs. Additionally, improving the working environment of health-care workers is critical to improve their motivation towards greater success of HIV/AIDS control programs.</p>","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":"16 ","pages":"367-377"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-28","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11446192/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142366899","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Bacterial Profile, Susceptibility Patterns, and Factors Associated with Culture-Positive Sputum Among HIV Patients Presenting with a Cough in Northern Uganda.","authors":"Thelma Satha Kamara, Amon Banturaki, Brian Ssenkumba, Theophilus Pius, Kingsley Akaba","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S477096","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/HIV.S477096","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Aim: </strong>Sub-Saharan Africa bears the highest burden of HIV/AIDS infections and constitutes 72% and 69% of AIDS-related deaths and people living with HIV worldwide, respectively. Due to the relationship between pulmonary infections and HIV/AIDS, it is biologically plausible that the surge in morbidity and mortality among HIV/AIDS patients could be attributed to an increase in pulmonary infections among this cohort of patients. This study determined the bacterial profile, susceptibility patterns, and factors associated with culture-positive sputum among HIV patients presenting with cough at the Lira Infectious Disease Centre in Northern Uganda.</p><p><strong>Material and methods: </strong>This prospective cross-sectional study recruited 180 participants. Culture and sensitivity of the sputum samples were done to determine the causative organism and its susceptibility. Blood agar, MacConkey's agar, and Chocolate agar were deployed for the culture media. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was done using the Kirby-Bauer disc diffusion test. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 26.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Out of the 180 enrolled patients, 113 were females with a mean age of 45. Bacterial growth was seen in 56 of the 180 samples. The most common isolate was <i>Staphylococcus aureus</i> at 35.7% of the 56 growths. The minority that accounted for 1.8% each were <i>Citrobacter freundii, Salmonella</i> species and <i>Acinetobacter baumanii,</i> respectively. A combination of ceftriaxone and gentamicin was effective against most organisms isolated in this study. At the multivariate level of analysis, an unsuppressed viral load and low peripheral oxygen saturation were independently associated with a sputum culture-positive cough.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>HIV patients at LIDC who present with productive cough with low oxygen saturation and an unsuppressed viral load may be screened for <i>Staphylococcus aureus, Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus pneumonia, Klebsiella pneumonia</i>, and <i>Enterobacter</i> species infection. A combination of ceftriaxone and gentamicin may be used as empiric therapy before the culture and sensitivity results are available.</p>","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":"16 ","pages":"355-366"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-21","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11423831/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142356145","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Evaluating Antiretroviral Therapy Service Delivery Models Through Lot Quality Assurance Sampling in Central Uganda.","authors":"Semei Christopher Mukama, Jane Senyondo Nakawesi, Dedrix Stephenson Bindeeba, Simon Ezajobo, Andrew Mugisa, Catherine Senyimba, Eve Namitala, Robert Onzima D D M Anguyo, Simon Peter Katongole, Barbara Mukasa","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S475258","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.2147/HIV.S475258","url":null,"abstract":"&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Background: &lt;/strong&gt;This study evaluated the effectiveness and responsiveness of differentiated Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immuno-Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) service delivery models (DSDMs) implemented to enhance antiretroviral therapy (ART) access and outcomes for patients while addressing Tuberculosis (TB)-HIV integration, focusing on four of the five DSDMs currently implemented in Uganda.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Methodology: &lt;/strong&gt;A descriptive cross-sectional survey was conducted in eight districts of central Uganda using Lot Quality Assurance Sampling approach from 7th to 23rd March 2023. We randomly sampled 2668 patients who have been on ART for at least 1 year in a Facility-Based Individual Management (FBIM) model or in a non-FBIM DSDM for at least one year. Data were collected through patient interviews and review of records in ART and DSDM registers as well as ART cards. We analyzed the data in proportions, comparing the selected ART outcome and responsiveness indicators between Community Client Led ART Distribution (CCLAD), Community Drugs Distribution Point (CDDP) and Fast-Track Drug Refill (FTDR) DSDMs with the standard care (FBIM) model. The ART outcome variables include patients retained in the 1st line of the ART regimen, patients in World Health Organization clinical stage 1 during the last facility visit, patients who had no CD4 request during the past 12 months, viral load suppression, ART adherence, and patients who reported that they did not experience HIV/AIDS-related symptoms in the past 6 months. The variables on TB care include screening for TB using the intensified case finding form and patients tested positive for TB. Responsiveness variables include the perceived; travel time for ART refill, travel distance for ART refill, convenience and flexibility during ART refill, cost of travel for ART refill, fear of being seen at ART refill point, waiting time before service, adequacy of service time, crowding and risk of infections, social support, ability to address ART treatment challenges, HIV status disclosure and barriers to access. Non-overlap in 95% confidence interval in indicator proportion between non-FBIM DSDM and FBIM means a statistically significant difference in proportion, or otherwise non-significant.&lt;/p&gt;&lt;p&gt;&lt;strong&gt;Results: &lt;/strong&gt;Higher proportions of ART patients in the CCLAD and CDDP DSDMs adhered to ART, had suppressed viral load, and a lower TB prevalence than those in FBIM model. Additionally, more CCLAD and CDDP clients reported shorter travel time and distance to access ART than their counterparts in the FBIM model. Compared to FBIM model, higher proportions of those in CCLAD and CDDP also reported flexibility in ART refill scheduling, reduced transport costs, fewer privacy concerns, less HIV/AIDS-related stigma, shorter waiting times, more efficient services, decreased congestion at ART pickup sites, enhanced peer support, improved problem-solving assistance, and increased HIV st","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":"16 ","pages":"337-354"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-06","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11385700/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142298360","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prevalence, Awareness, and Factors Associated with Hypertension Among People Living with HIV in Eastern Uganda. A Multicentre Cross-Sectional Study.","authors":"Andrew Marvin Kanyike, Ashley Winfred Nakawuki, Gabriel Madut Akech, Raymond Bernard Kihumuro, Timothy Mwanje Kintu, Racheal Nalunkuma, Rachael Mukisa Nakandi, Joshua Mugabi, Nicholas Twijukye, Denis Bwayo, Richard Katuramu","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S477809","DOIUrl":"10.2147/HIV.S477809","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Despite advancements in Antiretroviral Therapy (ART), people living with HIV (PLHIV) face increasing risks of HTN, leading to significant morbidity and premature mortality, undermining the hard-earned gains of fighting HIV. The prevalence of hypertension among HIV patients and associated risk factors has not been extensively studied in the rural parts of Uganda.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>We assessed the prevalence, awareness, and factors associated with hypertension among PLHIV at two health facilities in Eastern Uganda.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A cross-sectional study was conducted at Mbale Regional Referral Hospital and Bugobero Health Center IV HIV clinics from May to July 2023. We recruited patients with HIV above the age of 18 years and willing to consent. Participants were interviewed using a structured questionnaire adapted from the WHO STEPwise approach to noncommunicable disease risk factor surveillance (STEPS) and the AIDS Clinical Trials Group. Anthropometric measurements and blood pressure were taken. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression were performed. A <i>P</i> value <0.2 in the bivariate analysis was transferred to the multivariable logistic regression model. A <i>P</i> value < 0.05 was statistically significant.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The study surveyed 400 PLHIV with a mean age of 46.5 (SD: 12.4) years; most were female (n=261, 65.3%). Hypertension prevalence was at 37.5%, with 20.5% in stage 2 and 68% ((n=102) of hypertensive participants were unaware. Hypertension was associated with age ≥50 years (aOR: 2.11, 95% CI: 1.33-3.37, p = 0.002), a suppressed viral load (aOR: 3.71, 95% CI: 1.02-5.13, p = 0.046) and BMI ≥25 Kg/m² (aOR: 1.64, 95% CI: 1.01-2.66, p = 0.044).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Hypertension is a significant burden among PLHIV in Eastern Uganda, influenced by HIV and lifestyle-related risk factors. Improved screening and diagnosis are needed with close monitoring for patients with viral load suppression due to the possible negative effects of ART on blood pressure.</p>","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":"16 ","pages":"325-335"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-09-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11378986/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142156311","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Determinants of Late HIV Diagnosis and Advanced HIV Disease Among People Living with HIV in Tanzania.","authors":"Anderson Bendera, Deogratias Mugisha Baryomuntebe, Nwanna Uchechukwu Kevin, Miisa Nanyingi, Patience Bemanya Kinengyere, Salaam Mujeeb, Esther Jachi Sulle","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S473291","DOIUrl":"10.2147/HIV.S473291","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>About half of people infected with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) often present late for care, resulting in higher healthcare costs, undesired treatment outcomes, and ongoing HIV transmission. This study aimed to assess the prevalence and determinants of late HIV diagnosis and advanced HIV disease (AHD) in Tanzania.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Data were obtained from the 2016-17 Tanzania HIV impact survey. We included 677 newly diagnosed people living with HIV. Late HIV diagnosis and AHD were defined as having a CD4 cell count below 350 cells/µL or 200 cells/µL at diagnosis, respectively. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted to identify the determinants of late HIV diagnosis or AHD.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The mean age of the participants was 37.8 years (SD, 12.4). About two-thirds were women (62.6%). The prevalence of late HIV diagnosis was 42.4%, whereas the prevalence of AHD was 17.7%. Factors associated with late HIV diagnosis included age 31-40 years (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] = 1.72, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.14-2.60), age ≥41 years (aOR = 1.79, 95% CI: 1.16-2.76), male sex (aOR = 1.88, 95% CI: 1.29-2.73), and active syphilis infection (aOR=2.63, 95% CI: 1.20-5.76). Factors associated with AHD were age 31-40 years (aOR = 2.12, 95% CI: 1.18-3.81), age ≥41 years (aOR = 2.42, 95% CI: 1.32-4.41), male sex (aOR = 1.77, 95% CI: 1.09-2.87), formal education (aOR = 0.49, 95% CI: 0.30-0.81) and active syphilis infection (aOR = 2.49, 95% CI: 1.07-5.77).</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Late HIV diagnosis and AHD are prevalent among newly diagnosed people living with HIV in Tanzania. Specific subgroups are more likely to present late for HIV care, including middle-aged and older adults, men, illiterate individuals, and those with active syphilis and HIV co-infection. Therefore, we recommend expanding HIV testing services and implementing targeted interventions to improve early access and enrollment in HIV care.</p>","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":"16 ","pages":"313-323"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-08-26","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11363941/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"142113310","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Healthcare Workers' Experiences and Challenges in Managing Gender-Based Violence Among HIV-Positive Women Living in Southern, Tanzania: A Qualitative Study.","authors":"Leila S Matoy, Felista S Tarimo, Efraim M Kosia, Josephine J Mkunda, Maja Weisser, Sally Mtenga","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S438672","DOIUrl":"10.2147/HIV.S438672","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Introduction: </strong>Healthcare workers (HCW) play an important role in managing women living with HIV (WLHIV) with gender-based violence (GBV) experience, but little is known about their experience in screening and managing GBV among WLHIV. This study explored the perceptions and experience of the HCWs on screening and managing GBV cases among WLHIV.</p><p><strong>Patients and methods: </strong>We performed a descriptive phenomenological qualitative study to elicit the views and experience of HCW on GBV screening and management for WLHIV. The study was conducted in the semi-urban setting in Morogoro Region, Tanzania. Ten in-depth interviews (IDIs) were administered to HCW selected purposefully based on their roles at an HIV care and treatment center. Data were transcribed using patterns matching study aim and then merged into relevant themes for analysis and interpretation. NVIVO software version 12 was used for data coding and analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>We found that HCW experienced multiple challenges in GBV screening and management, including limited capacity for GBV screening and management; inadequate training on assessment and handling GBV cases, limited resources (time, GBV guidelines and screening tools), inadequate GBV referral and monitoring systems; referral forms for GBV survivors to social support centers and follow-up mechanisms to trace survivors, mental aspects; HCWs' fear of being stressed by listening to women's' GBV traumatic experiences, HCWs' fear of causing problems to the women's families and HCW biased notions on women disclosure of GBV; the believes that women will not report their GBV experiences.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>We identified context-specific challenges preventing HCW to deliver optimal services of GBV to WLHIV, stressing the necessity to strengthen HCW capacity and resources for GBV services and to integrate psychosocial services into HIV care. Policy and programs should be developed to support GBV screening and management for WLHIV.</p>","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":"16 ","pages":"275-287"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-07-11","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11249112/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141621196","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Health System Responses to Address Treatment Gaps of Unsuppressed Adolescents on HIV Treatment in Public Primary Health Care Facilities in Windhoek, Namibia.","authors":"Farai Kevin Munyayi, Brian van Wyk","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S459124","DOIUrl":"10.2147/HIV.S459124","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) face unique challenges that result in persistent gaps in achieving and maintaining suppressed viral load. Although effective evidence-based interventions to address treatment gaps in adolescents are readily available, health systems in resource-constrained, high HIV prevalence settings are challenged to implement them to achieve epidemic control. Here, we describe the health system responses to address the treatment gap of unsuppressed ALHIV on antiretroviral therapy in Windhoek, Namibia.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>We conducted a qualitative descriptive and exploratory study in Windhoek between June and October 2023. Nineteen purposively selected key informants, ranging from pediatric HIV program managers to healthcare providers, were interviewed. In-depth interviews were audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. The transcripts were uploaded to ATLAS.ti and subjected to thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The four main themes elucidated challenges related to adherence and retention as well as health system responses in the form of interventions and support programs. The predominant adherence and retention challenges faced by ALHIV were mental health issues, behavioral and medication-related challenges, and inadequate care and social support. The health system responses to the identified challenges included providing psychosocial support, peer support, optimization of treatment and care, and the utilization of effective service delivery models. Key health system support elements identified included adequately capacitated human resources, efficient medication supply chain systems, creating and maintaining an enabling environment for optimum care, and robust monitoring systems as essential to program success.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The health system responses to address the remaining treatment gaps of unsuppressed ALHIV in Windhoek are quite varied and, although evidence-based, appear to be siloed. We recommend harmonized, multifaceted guidance, integrating psychosocial, treatment, care, and peer-led support, and strengthening client-centred differentiated service delivery models for unsuppressed adolescents.</p>","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":"16 ","pages":"259-273"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-07-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11246627/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141617385","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Forgetting to Take Medication, Treatment Adherence and Their Relationship with Viral Load Suppression Among People Living with HIV in the Kilimanjaro Region, Tanzania.","authors":"Lyidia V Masika, Innocent B Mboya, Rehema Anenmose Maro, Benson Mtesha, Mtoro J Mtoro, Kennedy Ngowi, Michael Johnson Mahande, I Marion Sumari-de Boer","doi":"10.2147/HIV.S452875","DOIUrl":"10.2147/HIV.S452875","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence is crucial for virological suppression and positive treatment outcomes among people living with HIV (PLHIV), but remains a challenge in ensuring patients achieve and sustain viral load suppression. Despite the recommended use of digital tools medications uptake reminders, the contribution of forgetting to take medication is unknown. This study investigated the contribution of forgetting to take medication on the total missed medication and its effects on detectable viral load (VL).</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This mixed-method research was conducted among children, adolescents, pregnant, and breastfeeding women living with HIV on ART in northern Tanzania. Forgetting to take medication constituted reporting to have missed medication due to forgetfulness. A multivariable logistic regression model was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with a 95% confidence interval (CI) to determine the contribution of forgetting medication intakes on total missed medication and other factors associated with having a detectable VL.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 427 respondents, 33.3% were children, 33.4% adolescents, and 33.3% pregnant and breastfeeding women, whose median age (interquartile range) was 9 (7-12), 18 (16-18), and 31 (27-36) years, respectively. Ninety-two (22.3%) reported missing medication over the past month, of which 72 (17.9%) was due to forgetting. Forgetting to take medication (AOR: 1.75 95% CI: 1.01-3.06) and being on second-line regimen (AOR: 2.89 95% CI: 1.50-5.55) increased the chances of a detectable VL, while females had lower chances of detectable VL (AOR: 0.62 95% CI: 0.41-0.98). The themes on the reasons for forgetting to take medication from qualitative results included being busy with work and the importance of reminders.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Forgetting to take medication is common among PLHIV and an important predictor of a detectable VL. This calls for the use of automated short message services (SMS) reminders or Digital Adherence Tools with reminders to improve and promote good ART adherence among PLHIV.</p>","PeriodicalId":46555,"journal":{"name":"HIV AIDS-Research and Palliative Care","volume":"16 ","pages":"245-257"},"PeriodicalIF":1.5,"publicationDate":"2024-06-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11192192/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141443540","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":0,"RegionCategory":"","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}