title: Loss to follow-up of stable antiretroviral therapy patients in a decentralized down-referral model of care in Johannesburg, South Africa.
abstract: A retrospective record review was conducted for patients down referred to primary health care facilities between 2007 and 2009 to assess the rate and reported reasons for loss to follow-up among stable antiretroviral patients in a down-referral model of care in Johannesburg, South Africa. Missing patients were traced telephonically. Of 3361 patients down referred, 4.11% were lost to follow-up. Most patients who were lost to follow-up were lost at the transfer stage between initiation and maintenance sites. Decentralization and nurse management of ART should be prioritized to increase access to and retention in HIV/AIDS care.
authors.affiliation: Wits Reproductive Health and HIV Institute, Long Beach, CA 90802, USA. caraoc@gmail.com
authors.forename: Cara
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: O'Connor
authors.forename: Regina
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Osih
authors.forename: Ambereen
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jaffer
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011057:Politics; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D055815:Young Adult
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents