Balancing the need to rapidly scale-up and improve clinical outcomes in antiretroviral programmes in developing countries: lessons from an Indian programmatic cohort study

Peter Bock; Nulda Beyers; Sarah Fidler

doi:10.1093/trstmh/tru126

Balancing the need to rapidly scale-up and improve clinical outcomes in antiretroviral programmes in developing countries: lessons from an Indian programmatic cohort study

Trans R Soc Trop Med Hyg. 2014 Oct;108(10):599-600. doi: 10.1093/trstmh/tru126. Epub 2014 Aug 6.

Authors

Peter Bock¹, Nulda Beyers², Sarah Fidler³

Affiliations

¹ Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa peterb@sun.ac.za.
² Desmond Tutu TB Centre, Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, Stellenbosch University, Stellenbosch, South Africa.
³ HIV Clinical Trials Centre, Imperial College, London, UK.

PMID: 25100793
DOI: 10.1093/trstmh/tru126

Abstract

Antiretroviral treatment (ART) is highly effective reducing mortality and AIDS-related morbidity in HIV-infected people and at preventing transmission of HIV between individuals. The article reviewed for this commentary reported on data from an Indian ART cohort that showed low median baseline CD4 counts and high rates of mortality and loss to follow-up. Programme implementers in developing regions need to balance the need for rapid scale-up and simultaneous improvement in clinical outcomes. Challenges outlined support HIV treatment strategies that combine improved HIV diagnosis, linkage to care and provision of ART with a strong community-based component.

Keywords: Antiretroviral treatment; Clinical outcomes; HIV testing.

Publication types

Comment

MeSH terms

Anti-Retroviral Agents / therapeutic use*
Female
HIV Infections / drug therapy*
Humans
Male
Patient Acceptance of Health Care / statistics & numerical data*

Substances

Anti-Retroviral Agents