First name
Elizabeth
Middle name
S
Last name
Bast

Title

Barriers to HIV treatment adherence among adults living with HIV in the eastern Dominican Republic.

Year of Publication

2021

Number of Pages

9564624211014102

Date Published

2021 May 14

ISSN Number

1758-1052

Abstract

<p>Despite access to nationally supplied antiretroviral treatment, viral load suppression rates remain suboptimal in the Dominican Republic. Counseling and support services are available but mainly targeted to those identified as having the most need. At Clínica de Familia La Romana (CFLR) in La Romana, all patients undergo a structured baseline interview including exploration of expected barriers to care. We conducted a retrospective cohort study of a random sample of patients at CFLR with treatment initiation between 1 January 2015 and 1 December 2017 to determine if self-identified barriers to HIV care predict viral load suppression. Viral load suppression occurred in 63% of the 203 patients evaluated. Lack of food ( = 19) was significantly associated with lack of viral suppression (OR 3.0, 95% CI 1.14-7.87). Nondisclosure of HIV status ( = 24) showed evidence for a protective effect (OR 0.33; 95% CI 0.11-1.0). Further steps should be taken to address food insecurity as well as to understand associated barriers to care among individuals with food insecurity.</p>

DOI

10.1177/09564624211014102

Alternate Title

Int J STD AIDS

PMID

33990170

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