Virologic failure in HIV-positive adolescents with perfect adherence in Uganda: a cross-sectional study

• Published in: Tropical Medicine and Health
• Main Authors: Julian Natukunda, Peter Kirabira, Ken Ing Cherng Ong, Akira Shibanuma, Masamine Jimba
• Format: Article in Journal/Newspaper
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2019
• Subjects: Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV); Adherence; Adolescents; Viral suppression; Virologic failure; Antiretroviral therapy; Arctic medicine. Tropical medicine; RC955-962; Arctic
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1186/s41182-019-0135-z; https://doaj.org/article/8a3764e3c3f046f2a0674e9f9374e211

Abstract Background Adolescents living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) die owing to acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS)-related causes more than adults. Although viral suppression protects people living with HIV from AIDS-related illnesses, little is known about viral outcomes of adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa where the biggest burden of deaths is experienced. This study aimed to identify the factors associated with viral load suppression among HIV-positive adolescents (10–19 years) receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Uganda. Methods We conducted a cross-sectional study among school-going, HIV-positive adolescents on ART from August to September 2016. We recruited 238 adolescents who underwent ART at a public health facility and had at least one viral load result recorded in their medical records since 2015. We collected the data of patients’ demographics and treatment- and clinic-related factors using existing medical records and questionnaire-guided face-to-face interviews. For outcome variables, we defined viral suppression as < 1000 copies/mL. We used multivariate logistic regression to determine factors associated with viral suppression. Results We analyzed the data of 200 adolescents meeting the inclusion criteria. Viral suppression was high among adolescents with good adherence > 95% (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] 2.73, 95% confidence interval [95% CI, 1.09 to 6.82). However, 71% of all adolescents who did not achieve viral suppression were also sufficiently adherent (adherence > 95%). Regardless of adherence status, other risk factors for viral suppression at the multivariate level included having a history of treatment failure (AOR 0.26, 95% CI, 0.09 to 0.77), religion (being Anglican [AOR 0.19, 95% CI, 0.06 to 0.62] or Muslim [AOR 0.17, 95% CI, 0.05 to 0.55]), and having been prayed for (AOR 0.38, 95% CI, 0.15 to 0.96). Conclusion More than 70% of adolescents who experienced virologic failure were sufficiently adherent (adherence > 95). Adolescents who had unsuppressed ...