• Darius Owachi, Godwin Anguzu, Joanita Kigozi, Janneke Cox, Barbara Castelnuovo, Fred Semitala, and David Meya.
• Department of Infectious Diseases, Kiruddu National Referral Hospital, Kampala, Uganda.
• Afr Health Sci. 2021 Jun 1; 21 (2): 603613603-613.

IntroductionKey populations have disproportionately higher HIV prevalence rates than the general population.ObjectiveTo determine the level of virologic suppression and associated factors in female Commercial Sex Workers (CSW) who completed six months of ART and compare with the female general population (GP).MethodsClinical records of CSW and GPs who initiated ART between December 2014 to December 2016 from seven urban clinics were analyzed to determine virologic suppression (viral load < 1000 copies/ml) and associated factors.ResultsWe identified 218 CSW and 182 female GPs. CSW had median age of 28 (IQR 25-31) vs 31 (IQR 26-37); median baseline CD4 446 (IQR 308-696) vs 352 (IQR 164-493) cells/microL; and optimal ART adherence levels at 70.6% vs 92.8% respectively, compared to GP. Virologic suppression in CSW and GPs was 85.7% and 89.6% respectively, P=0.28. Overall virologic suppression in CSW was 55% while Retention in care after 6 months of ART was 77.5%. Immediate ART initiation (<2weeks) and tuberculosis independently predicted virologic suppression in CSW with adjusted odds ratios 0.07 (95% C.I. 0.01-0.55, P=0.01) and 0.09 (95% C.I. 0.01-0.96, P=0.046) respectively.ConclusionVirologic suppression in both groups is similar, however, intensified follow-up is needed to improve treatment outcomes.© 2021 Owachi D et al.

20 keywords...

hide…