How early is too early? Challenges in ART initiation and engaging in HIV care under Treat All in Rwanda-A qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

HIV treatment guidelines recommend that all people living with HIV (PLWH) initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART) as soon as possible after diagnosis (Treat All). As Treat All is more widely implemented, an increasing proportion of PLWH are likely to initiate ART when they are asymptomatic, and they may view the relative benefits and risks of ART differently than those initiating at more advanced disease stages. To date, patient perspectives of initiating care under Treat All in sub-Saharan Africa have not been well described.

Methods

From September 2018 to March 2019, we conducted individual, semi-structured, qualitative interviews with 37 patients receiving HIV care in two health centers in Kigali, Rwanda. Data were analyzed using a mixed deductive and inductive

SUBMITTER: Ross J 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8118273 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature