Determinants of late Diagnosis amongest Human Immunodefeciency Virus (Hiv) Positive patients Enrolled in Hiv Treatment Centres in Ridge Regional Hospital and Adabraka Polyclinc
Date
2015-07
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Publisher
University of Ghana
Abstract
Late diagnosis of HIV is a major hindrance in the campaign to control the spread of HIV/ AIDS. Late diagnosis, defined as the presence of CD4 lymphocyte count of less than 350/ul and or WHO stage 3 or 4 disease at diagnosis, leads to late entry into care. This subsequently results in a delay in ART initiation and poorer treatment outcomes.
In sub-Saharan Africa, 45% - 72.8% of HIV positive patients are being diagnosed at a late stage of the disease. However the proportion of HIV patients in Ghana who are diagnosed late and the factors associated with these patients have not been well documented.
This study sought to determine the extent to which late diagnosis is prevalent amongst HIV positive patients enrolled in ART centres in the Ridge Regional Hospital and Adabraka Polyclinic. The patient dependent factors associated with late diagnosis were also examined. A cross sectional study involving 325 participants was carried out from the 22nd May to the 20th June 2015.Closed ended questionnaires and data extraction forms were used to collect data on socio-demographic characteristics, perceived need of HIV test and on missed opportunities for testing. Logistic regression analysis was used to assess the relationship between the independent variables and the occurrence of late diagnosis of HIV.
The findings from the study showed that the prevalence of late diagnosis was 62.8 %( 204). Older age and the occurrence of missed opportunities for testing were found to be associated with late diagnosis. Seventy eight percent (169) of participants experienced one or more missed opportunities in which HIV testing could have been offered for testing. Having 7-9 missed opportunities was found in this study to be the strongest predictor of late diagnosis of HIV.
This study highlights that several opportunities for testing are missed amongst HIV patients. This study also shows that people of older age are most at risk of having a late diagnosis. There is therefore the need to introduce policies that would ensure routine screening of all patients who seek medical care in health facilities especially people of older age.
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Keywords
DETERMINANTS, LATE DIAGNOSIS, HUMAN IMMUNODEFECIENCY VIRUS, POSITIVE, PATIENTS, HIV TREATMENT CENTRES, RIDGE REGIONAL HOSPITAL, ADABRAKA POLYCLINC