Late antiretroviral therapy initiation and some associated factors in people living with HIV in Kien Giang province from 2018 - 2019

Abstract

Late initiation of antiretroviral therapy (L-ART) in people living with HIV (PLWH) is a great public health concern, which may increase mortality and the risk of community transmission. Therefore, this study aimed to determine and describe some associated factors in PLWH. We conducted a cross-sectional study on 279 PLWH who initiated ART from January 2018 to June 2019 at 10 HIV outpatient clinics (HOPCs) in Kien Giang. PLWH with clinical stage III or IV (according to WHO) who initiated antiretroviral therapy was classified as having L-ART. The multivariable logistic regression model was used to explore factors related to L-ART. The results showed that the proportion of L-ART among PLWH is 29.4%. The likelihood of L-ART was higher in PLWH who were underweight (aOR: 3.65; 95% CI: 1.92 – 6.93), and who were heterosexual (aOR: 2.36; 95% CI: 1.05 - 5.33). The proportion of L-ART among PLWH in Kien Giang was relatively high. Intervention programs need to strengthen communication and counseling for HIV-infected people with high-risk factors (such as heterosexual intercourse) to help them initiate ART early, thereby reducing the proportion of L-ART in Kien Giang.