Frequency and reasons for delayed treatment initiation after HIV diagnosis: cross-sectional study in Lahore, Pakistan.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Well-timed initiation of HIV therapy enhances life expectancy, decreases mortality and morbidity, and inhibits the transmission of HIV and complications related to it. The purpose of the present survey is to investigate the frequency and reasons for delayed initiation of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) and to determine its relationship with various socio-demographic variables and HIV-related characteristics.

Methods

The analysis is based on a cross-sectional study involving 355 people living with HIV (diagnosed by PCR) who were more than 18 years of age and not receiving HIV therapy before enrolment at the HIV clinics of two selected tertiary-care teaching hospitals in Lahore, Pakistan. In this study, delayed initiation of ART was defined as not attending the HIV ma

SUBMITTER: Ali H 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8161554 | biostudies-literature | 2021 May

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature