Risk factors for delayed viral suppression on first-line antiretroviral therapy among persons living with HIV in Haiti, 2013-2017

PLoS One. 2020 Oct 29;15(10):e0240817. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0240817. eCollection 2020.

Abstract

Studies of viral suppression on first-line antiretroviral therapy (ART) in persons living with human immunodeficiency virus (PLHIV) in Haiti are limited, particularly among PLHIV outside of the Ouest department, where the capital Port-au-Prince is located. This study described the prevalence and risk factors for delayed viral suppression among PLHIV in all geographic departments of Haiti between 2013 and 2017. Individuals who received viral load testing 3 to 12 months after ART initiation were included. Data on demographics and clinical care were obtained from the Haitian Active Longitudinal Tracking of HIV database. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to predict delayed viral suppression, defined as a viral load ≥1000 HIV-1 RNA copies/mL after at least 3 months on ART. Viral load test results were available for 3,368 PLHIV newly-initiated on ART. Prevalence of delayed viral suppression was 40%, which is slightly higher than previous estimates in Haiti. In the multivariable analysis, delayed viral suppression was significantly associated with younger age, receiving of care in the Ouest department, treatment with lamivudine (3TC), zidovudine (AZT), and nevirapine (NVP) combined ART regimen, and CD4 counts below 200 cells/mm3. In conclusion, this study was the first to describe and compare differences in delayed viral suppression among PLHIV by geographic department in Haiti. We identified populations to whom public health interventions, such as more frequent viral load testing, drug resistance testing, and ART adherence counseling should be targeted.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents / adverse effects
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / adverse effects
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active / methods*
  • Child
  • Child, Preschool
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / virology
  • HIV-1 / drug effects*
  • HIV-1 / pathogenicity
  • Haiti / epidemiology
  • Humans
  • Lamivudine / therapeutic use
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nevirapine / adverse effects
  • Nevirapine / therapeutic use
  • Risk Factors
  • Viral Load / drug effects
  • Young Adult
  • Zidovudine

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Lamivudine
  • Zidovudine
  • Nevirapine

Grants and funding

This work was supported by a grant (ID00017061) from the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors to CD. There was no additional external funding received for this study. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.