Loss to Follow-Up from HIV Screening to ART Initiation in Rural China.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Patients who are newly screened HIV positive by EIA are lost to follow-up due to complicated HIV testing procedures. Because this is the first step in care, it affects the entire continuum of care. This is a particular concern in rural China.

Objective(s)

To assess the routine HIV testing completeness and treatment initiation rates at 18 county-level general hospitals in rural Guangxi.

Methods

We reviewed original hospital HIV screening records. Investigators also engaged with hospital leaders and key personnel involved in HIV prevention activities to characterize in detail the routine care practices in place at each county.

Results

699 newly screened HIV-positive patients between January 1 and June 30, 2013 across the 18 hospitals were included in t

SUBMITTER: Gu D 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5074455 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature