"It Soothes Your Heart": A Multimethod Study Exploring Acceptability of Point-of-Care Viral Load Testing among Ugandan Pregnant and Postpartum Women Living with HIV.

ABSTRACT:

Background

High adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) is critical for achieving viral suppression and preventing onward HIV transmission. ART continuation can be challenging for pregnant women living with HIV (PWLHIV), which has critical implications for risk of vertical HIV transmission. Point-of-care viral load (POC VL) testing has been associated with improved treatment and retention outcomes. We sought to explore acceptability of POC VL testing among Ugandan PWLHIV during pregnancy and postpartum.

Methods

This multimethod analysis drew on quantitative and qualitative data collected between February and December 2021. Quantitatively, we used an intent-to-treat analysis to assess whether randomization to clinic-based POC VL testing during pregnancy and infant testing a

SUBMITTER: Nakyanzi A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10795616 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature