Onwah O, Nwanja E, Akpan U, Toyo O, Nwangeneh C, Oyawola B, Idemudia A, Olatunbosun K, Igboelina O, Ogundehin D, James E, Onyedinachi O, Adegboye A, Eyo A. Prevalence and predictors of persistent low-level HIV viraemia: a retrospective cohort study among people receiving dolutegravir-based antiretroviral therapy in Southern Nigeria.
Ther Adv Infect Dis 2024;
11:20499361241242240. [PMID:
38572299 PMCID:
PMC10989043 DOI:
10.1177/20499361241242240]
[Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2023] [Accepted: 03/11/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Background
Persistent low-level viraemia (PLLV) is a risk factor for virologic failure among people receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART).
Objectives
We assessed the prevalence and predictors of PLLV among individuals receiving Dolutegravir-based ART in southern Nigeria.
Design
This retrospective cohort study used routine program data from electronic medical records of persons receiving Dolutegravir-based first-line ART in 154 PEPFAR/USAID-supported health facilities in Akwa Ibom and Cross Rivers states, Nigeria.
Methods
Clients on first-line Dolutegravir-based ART ⩾6 months, who had a viral load result in the 12 months preceding October 2021 (baseline), and a second viral load result by September 2022 were included. Persons with low-level viraemia (LLV) (viral load 51-999 copies/ml) received additional adherence support. The outcome analysed was PLLV (two consecutive LLV results). Indices were summarized using descriptive statistics, and predictors of PLLV were determined using multivariate logistic regression.
Results
In total, 141,208 persons on ART were included, of which 63.3% (n = 89,944) were females. The median age was 36 [29-44] years, median ART duration was 19 [11-42] months. At the end of the study, 10.5% (14,759/141,208) had initial LLV, 90.1% (13,304/14,759) of which attained undetectable viral load (⩽50 copies/ml), and 1.1% (163/14,759) transitioned to virologic failure (⩾1000 copies/ml) by the end of the study. PLLV prevalence was 0.9% (1292/141,208). Increasing ART duration [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.0; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.005-1.008; p < 0.001] and viral suppression (<1000 copies/ml) before initial LLV (aOR = 1.7; 95% CI: 1.50-2.00; p < 0.001) were positively associated with PLLV, while receipt of tuberculosis preventive therapy reduced the likelihood of PLLV (aOR = 0.3; 95% CI: 0.10-0.94; p = 0.039).
Conclusion
PLLV was uncommon among individuals receiving dolutegravir-based ART and was associated with longer ART duration, prior viral suppression, and non-receipt of tuberculosis preventive therapy. This strengthens recommendations for continuous adherence support and comprehensive health services with ART, to prevent treatment failure.
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