AUTHOR=Raberahona Mihaja , Rakotomalala Rado , Andriananja Volatiana , Andriamamonjisoa Johary , Rakotomijoro Etienne , Andrianasolo Radonirina Lazasoa , Rakotoarivelo Rivonirina Andry , Randria Mamy Jean de Dieu TITLE=A retrospective cohort analysis of people living with HIV/AIDS enrolled in HIV care at a reference center in Antananarivo, Madagascar JOURNAL=Frontiers in Public Health VOLUME=11 YEAR=2024 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/public-health/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2023.1329194 DOI=10.3389/fpubh.2023.1329194 ISSN=2296-2565 ABSTRACT=Background

The impact of the “Treat all” policy on the individual and in terms of public health is closely related to early diagnosis and retention in care. Patient-level data are scarce in Madagascar. In this study, we aimed to describe the profile of a cohort of newly diagnosed people living with HIV/AIDS (PLHIV), identify their outcomes, and assess factors associated with attrition from care and advanced HIV disease (AHD) at presentation.

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of PLHIV aged ≥15 years newly diagnosed at the University Hospital Joseph Raseta Befelatanana Antananarivo from 1 January 2010 to 31 December 2016.

Results

A total of 490 PLHIV were included in the cohort analysis. In total, 67.1% were male. The median age (interquartile range) at enrollment in care was 29 years (24-38). Overall, 36.1% of PLHIV were diagnosed with AHD at baseline. The proportion of patients with WHO stage IV at baseline increased significantly from 3.3% in 2010 to 31% in 2016 (p = 0.001 for trend). The probability of retention in care after the diagnosis at 12 months, 24 months, and 36 months was 71.8%, 65.5%, and 61.3%, respectively. Age ≥ 40 years (aHR: 1.55; 95% CI: 1.05–2.29; p = 0.026), low level of education (aHR:1.62; 95% CI: 1.11–2.36; p = 0,013), unspecified level of education (aHR:2.18; 95% CI: 1.37–3.47; p = 0.001) and unemployment (aHR:1.52; 95% CI: 1.07–2.16; p = 0.019) were independently associated with attrition from care. Factors associated with AHD at baseline were age ≥ 40 (aOR: 2.77; 95% CI: 1.38–5.57, p = 0.004), unspecified level of education (aOR: 3.80; 95% CI: 1.58–9.16, p = 0.003) and presence of clinical symptoms at baseline (aOR: 23.81; 95% CI: 10.7–52.98; p < 0.001). Sex workers were independently less likely to have an AHD at presentation (aOR: 0.23; 95% CI: 0.05–0.96, p = 0.044).

Conclusion

Sociodemographic determinants influenced retention in care more than clinical factors. The presence of clinical symptoms and sociodemographic determinants were the main factors associated with AHD at baseline.