Abstract
Objective: We report rates and risk factors for attrition in the first cohort of patients followed through all stages from HIV testing to ART initiation. DESIGN:: Cohort study of all patients diagnosed with HIV between January and June, 2009.
Methods: We calculated the proportion of patients who completed CD4 cell counts and initiated ART or remained in pre-ART care during two years of follow-up, and assessed predictors of attrition.
Results: Of 1,427 patients newly diagnosed with HIV, 680 (48%) either initiated ART or were retained in pre-ART care for the subsequent two years. One thousand eighty-three patients (76%) received a CD4 cell count and 973 (90%) returned for result; 297 (31%) had CD4 cell count <200 cells/µl and of these, 256 (86%) initiated ART. Among 429 patients with CD4 >350 cells/µl, 215 (50%) started ART or were retained in pre-ART care. Active TB was associated with lower odds of attrition prior to CD4 cell count (OR: 0.08; 95% CI: 0.03-0.25) but also higher odds of attrition prior to ART initiation (OR: 2.46; 95% CI: 1.29-4.71). Lower annual income (≤$US125) was associated with higher odds of attrition prior to CD4 cell count (OR 1.65; 95% CI: 1.25-2.19), and prior to ART initiation among those with CD4 cell count >350 cells/µl (OR: 1.74; 95% CI: 1.20-2.52).After tracking patients through a national database, the retention rate increased to only 57%.
Conclusion: Fewer than half of patients newly diagnosed with HIV initiate ART or remain in pre-ART care for two years in a clinic providing comprehensive services. Additional efforts to improve retention in pre-ART are critically needed.