Brief Report: Decentralizing ART Supply for Stable HIV Patients to Community-Based Distribution Centers: Program Outcomes From an Urban Context in Kinshasa, DRC

J Acquir Immune Defic Syndr. 2017 Mar 1;74(3):326-331. doi: 10.1097/QAI.0000000000001215.

Abstract

Facility-based antiretroviral therapy (ART) provision for stable patients with HIV congests health services in resource-limited countries. We assessed outcomes and risk factors for attrition after decentralization to community-based ART refill centers among 2603 patients with HIV in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo, using a multilevel Poisson regression model. Death, loss to follow-up, and transfer out were 0.3%, 9.0%, and 0.7%, respectively, at 24 months. Overall attrition was 5.66/100 person-years. Patients with >3 years on ART, >500 cluster of differentiation type-4 count, body mass index >18.5, and receiving nevirapine but not stavudine showed reduced attrition. ART refill centers are a promising task-shifting model in low-prevalence urban settings with high levels of stigma and poor ART coverage.

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / supply & distribution*
  • Anti-Retroviral Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Cohort Studies
  • Delivery of Health Care*
  • Democratic Republic of the Congo
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Treatment Outcome
  • Urban Population
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-Retroviral Agents