Feasibility of dried blood spots for HIV viral load monitoring in decentralized area in North Vietnam in a test-and-treat era, the MOVIDA project.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Access to HIV viral load is crucial to efficiently monitor patients on antiretroviral treatment (ART) and prevent HIV drug resistance acquisition. However, in some remote settings, access to viral load monitoring is still complex due to logistical and financial constraints. Use of dried blood spots (DBS) for blood collection could overcome these difficulties. This study aims to describe feasibility and operability of DBS use for routine viral load monitoring.

Methods

From June 2017 to April 2018, HIV-infected adults who initiated ART were enrolled in a prospective cohort in 43 clinical sites across 6 provinces in North Vietnam. Following national guidelines, the first viral load monitoring was planned 6 months after ART initiation. DBS were collected at the clinic

SUBMITTER: Nguyen TA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7145146 | biostudies-literature | 2020

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature