Patient retention from HIV diagnosis through one year on antiretroviral therapy at a primary health care clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa

Clouse, Kate; Pettifor, Audrey E.; Maskew, Mhairi; Bassett, Jean; Van Rie, Annelies; Behets, Frieda; Gay, Cynthia; Sanne, Ian; Fox, Matthew P.

doi:10.1097/QAI.0B013E318273AC48

Title

Patient retention from HIV diagnosis through one year on antiretroviral therapy at a primary health care clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa

Author

Clouse, Kate

Pettifor, Audrey E.

Maskew, Mhairi

Bassett, Jean

Van Rie, Annelies

Behets, Frieda

Gay, Cynthia

Sanne, Ian

Fox, Matthew P.

Abstract

Objective: To compare patient retention at 3 stages of pre-antiretroviral (ART) care and 2 stages of post-ART care to identify when greatest attrition occurs. Design: An observational cohort study. Methods: We reviewed files of all adult nonpregnant individuals testing HIV-positive January 1-June 30, 2010, at a primary health clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa (N = 842). We classified retention in pre-ART stage 1 (HIV diagnosis to CD4 results notification in <3 months), pre-ART stage 2 (initially ineligible for ART with repeat CD4 test <= 1 year of prior CD4), pre-ART stage 3 (initiating ART <= 3 months after first eligible CD4 result), and at 0-6 and 6-12 months post-ART. Results: Retention among all patients during pre-ART stage 1 was 69.8% [95% confidence interval (CI): 66.7% to 72.9%]. For patients initially ART ineligible (n = 221), 57.4% (95% CI: 49.5% to 65.0%) returned for a repeat CD4 during pre-ART stage 2. Among those who were ART eligible (n = 589), 73.5% (95% CI: 69.0% to 77.6%) were retained during pre-ART stage 3. Retention increased with time on ART, from 80.2% (95% CI: 75.3% to 84.5%) at 6 months to 95.3% (95% CI: 91.7% to 97.6%) between 6 and 12 months. Cumulative retention from diagnosis to 12 months on ART was 36.9% (95% CI: 33.0% to 41.1%) for those ART eligible and 43.0% (95% CI: 36.4% to 49.8%) from diagnosis to repeat CD4 testing within one year among those ART ineligible. Conclusions: Patient attrition in the first year after HIV diagnosis was greatest before ART initiation: more than 25% at each of 3 pre-ART stages. As countries expand HIV testing and ART programs, success will depend on linkage to care, especially before ART eligibility and initiation.

Language

English

Source (journal)

JAIDS. - Philadelphia, Pa

Publication

Philadelphia, Pa : 2013

ISSN

1525-4135

DOI

10.1097/QAI.0B013E318273AC48

Volume/pages

62 :2 (2013) , p. E39-E46