Retention outcomes during same-day antiretroviral therapy initiation in health facilities and outreach settings of Rakai, Uganda, 2016-2021.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

The antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation policy in Uganda recommends that ART is initiated on the same day of HIV diagnosis to those who do not have contraindications. We assessed determinants of retention in ART care at the first follow-up (FFU) after same-day ART initiation and retention in long-term care beyond the FFU visit.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective longitudinal analysis among persons living with HIV aged ≥18 years who initiated ART during April 2016-February 2021 after the inception of Uganda's Test-and-Treat ART policy, which states that 'all individuals diagnosed with HIV should initiate ART regardless of clinical stage CD4 count'. Missing the FFU after ART initiation (missing FFU) was defined as not returning for FFU within 1 month of ART

SUBMITTER: Basiima J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12400479 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature