How soon should patients be eligible for differentiated service delivery models for antiretroviral treatment? Evidence from a retrospective cohort study in Zambia.

ABSTRACT:

Objectives

Patient attrition is high the first 6 months after antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation. Patients with <6 months of ART are systematically excluded from most differentiated service delivery (DSD) models, which are intended to support retention. Despite DSD eligibility criteria requiring ≥6 months on ART, some patients enrol earlier. We compared loss to follow-up (LTFU) between patients enrolling in DSD models early with those enrolled according to guidelines, assessing whether the ART experience eligibility criterion is necessary.

Design

Retrospective cohort study using routinely collected electronic medical record data.

Setting

PARTICIPANTS: Adults (≥15 years) who initiated ART between 1 January 2019 and 31 December 2020.

Outcomes

LTFU (>30 days

SUBMITTER: Jamieson L 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9772670 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature