Dr. Ronald Opito
Public Health from Busitema University, Uganda.
Title: Treatment outcome of the implementation of HIV test and treat intervention at TASO Tororo clinic, Eastern Uganda: A retrospective cohort study.
Biography
Biography: Dr. Ronald Opito
Abstract
Uganda adopted the HIV test and treat policy in 2016. The treatment outcomes of this new intervention has not yet been assessed at program level. The objective of this study was to determine the treatment outcome of the HIV test and treat intervention in TASO Tororo Clinic, Eastern Uganda. Methodology: This was a retrospective cohort study using secondary data. The study involved 580 clients who were newly diagnosed HIV positive in TASO Tororo clinic between June 2017 and May 2018, who were then followed up for ART initiation, retention in care, viral load monitoring and viral load suppression. The data was analyzed using Stat 14.0 version statistical software application. Results: Of the 580 clients, 56.5% (328) were females while 93.1% (540) were adults aged ≥20 years. The uptake of test and treat was at 92.4% (536), while 12 months retention into care was at 78.7 %( 422). The factors associated with retention in TASO Tororo care were a) being counselled before ART initiation, AOR 2.41 (95%CI, 1.56-3.71), b) availability of treatment supporter, AOR 1.57 (95%CI, 1.02-2.43) and having an opportunistic infection at baseline, AOR 2.99 (95%CI:1.21-7.41). The viral load coverage was 52.4% (221) of the retained clients and viral load suppression rate was 89.1% (197) of clients monitored. There was a marked difference in non-suppression rates between children <20 years and adults ≥20 years (40.9% Vs 7.5%, P<0.001) and age <20 years was the only identified factor associated with vial load non suppression, AOR of 7.35 (95% CI=2.23-24.24). Conclusion: This study found the test and treat policy a great intervention in bringing new HIV positive clients on treatment. The study also found good vial load suppression rates among clients who took up test and treat intervention. There is however need to design interventions to improve retention and viral load coverage for clients who are initiating ART under test and treat policy.