Factors Associated with Care Continuum of Hiv/Aids Patients Receiving Antiretroviral Therapy at the International Health Care Center (Ihcc), Ghana
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Date
2016-07
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Publisher
University of Ghana
Abstract
Background: The advancement through the HIV Care Cascade, from HIV testing to permanent retention in Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Care and treatment programs, is vital to the success of HIV treatment and prevention efforts. However, persons are lost to follow-up at each stage of the Continuum and little is known about the factors contributing to attrition at these stages in Ghana.
This study determined factors associated with Care Continuum of HIV/AIDS patients
receiving antiretroviral therapy between 2011 and 2015 at the International Health Care
Center (IHCC).
Method: This was a cross-sectional study. 152 participants were conveniently sampled and data extracted from their medical records and supplementary closed-ended interviews were performed. Data were analyzed using STATA and frequencies, proportions, percentages, chi square and regression analyses were performed.
Results: Among persons living with HIV/AIDS who visit the IHCC, 79% were tested positive and linked to care. Retention among study participants receiving care at the IHCC was 53% of which 42% had improvement in their CD4 count over the period of the study. The chi-square test revealed that marital status and drug line (drug related factor) were significantly associated with retention. Age and drug line were also significantly associated with CD4 count improvement. Regression analysis showed that the age group 35-44 years participants are most likely to achieve improvement in CD4 count (AOR=34.97, 95% CI 2.22-550.81; p<0.05) and the first drug line choice was significantly associated with improvement in CD4 count (AOR= 0.17, 95% CI 0.04-0.63; p<0.05).
Conclusion: Out of 1127 participants who have been tested and linked to care at IHCC, 53% of them were retained in care and 42% had improvement in their CD4 count. Marital status and choice of drug line were associated with retention in care while age and choice of drug line were associated with improvement in CD4 count.
Description
Thesis(MPH)-University of Ghana, 2016
Keywords
Hiv/Aids Patients, Care Continuum, Antiretroviral Therapy