Prior antiretroviral therapy exposure among clients presenting for HIV treatment initiation in South Africa: an exploratory mixed-methods study using multiple indicators of exposure.

ABSTRACT:

Background

The era of universal treatment for HIV has seen high rates of disengagement from antiretroviral therapy (ART) programs and re-engagement after interruptions, with modeled estimates of non-naïve initiators > 50% in many places. Most re-engagers are reluctant to admit prior antiretroviral exposure, and non-self-reported data on proportions reinitiating are scarce. We conducted a sequential, mixed-methods study to explore the proportion of people who present for initiation with evidence of prior ART use and understand why many are reluctant to admit prior exposure in South Africa.

Methods

We enrolled a sequential sample of adults presenting to initiate ART or re-initiate ART after an interruption > 3 months and collected (1) self-reported previous treatment experienc

SUBMITTER: Benade M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12296601 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Jul

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature