Patient outcomes in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo after a disruption in HIV care due to decreased global fund appropriations.
This study examines care seeking behaviors, clinical outcomes, and satisfaction with care of HIV-positive adults in Lubumbashi, DRC, one year after a disruption in care due to decreased global fund appropriations. We describe outcomes before and after the disruption. We compared characteristics of those who completed the survey and those who did not using the Wald F test. Most patients sought care after the disruption and continued antiretroviral therapy (ART), though use of cotrimoxizole prophylaxis declined. Though there was little change in WHO clinical stage at the new site of care, the majority of participants lost weight, adherence decreased, support group participation dropped, and satisfaction with care worsened. Patients were more likely to participate in the study if they were taking ART. This study highlights the importance of provider-patient communication during a transfer and the vulnerability of pre-ART patients to becoming lost to follow-up.
Statistics and Epidemiology, RTI International, 3040 Cornwallis Road, Research Triangle Park, NC, 27709-2194, USA.
Anna
A
Freeman
Modeste
M
Kiumbu
Blaise
B
Mwamba
Joseph
J
Atibu
Henri
H
Mukumbi
Louis
L
Mwila
Christopher
C
Cummiskey
Kristen
K
Stolka
Jennifer
J
Hemingway-Foday
Jamie E
JE
Newman
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D015023:Democratic Republic of the Congo / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000628:therapy*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D006801:Humans; D007391:International Cooperation; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D017060:Patient Satisfaction / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D015431:Weight Loss; D055815:Young Adult; D016903:Drug Monitoring
D019380:Anti-HIV Agents