Loss to follow-up occurs at all stages in the diagnostic and follow-up period among HIV-infected patients in Guinea-Bissau: a 7-year retrospective cohort study.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

To describe loss to follow-up (LTFU) at all stages of the HIV programme.

Design

A retrospective cohort study.

Setting

The HIV clinic at Hospital National Simão Mendes in Bissau, Guinea-Bissau.

Participants

A total of 4080 HIV-infected patients.

Outcome measures

Baseline characteristics, percentages and incidence rates of LTFU as well as LTFU risk factors at four different stages: immediately after HIV diagnosis (stage 1), after the first CD4 cell count and before a follow-up consultation (stage 2), after a follow-up consultation for patients not eligible for antiretroviral treatment (ART; stage 3) and LTFU among patients on ART (stage 4).

Results

Almost one-third of the patients were lost to the programme before the first consultation w

SUBMITTER: Honge BL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3808780 | biostudies-literature | 2013 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature