Temporal dynamics and drivers of durable HIV viral load suppression and persistent high‐ and low‐level viraemia during Universal Test and Treat scale‐up in Uganda: a population‐based study
Abstract Introduction Population‐level data on durable HIV viral load suppression (VLS) following the implementation of Universal Test and Treat (UTT) in Africa are limited. We assessed trends in durable VLS and viraemia among persons living with HIV in 40 Ugandan communities during the UTT scale‐up...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Wiley
2024-02-01
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| Series: | Journal of the International AIDS Society |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1002/jia2.26200 |
| _version_ | 1797294110152851456 |
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| author | Joseph Gregory Rosen Robert Ssekubugu Larry W. Chang Victor Ssempijja Ronald M. Galiwango Joseph Ssekasanvu Anthony Ndyanabo Alice Kisakye Gertrude Nakigozi Katherine B. Rucinski Eshan U. Patel Caitlin E. Kennedy Fred Nalugoda Godfrey Kigozi Oliver Ratmann Lisa J. Nelson Lisa A. Mills Donna Kabatesi Aaron A. R. Tobian Thomas C. Quinn Joseph Kagaayi Steven J. Reynolds Mary Kathryn Grabowski |
| author_facet | Joseph Gregory Rosen Robert Ssekubugu Larry W. Chang Victor Ssempijja Ronald M. Galiwango Joseph Ssekasanvu Anthony Ndyanabo Alice Kisakye Gertrude Nakigozi Katherine B. Rucinski Eshan U. Patel Caitlin E. Kennedy Fred Nalugoda Godfrey Kigozi Oliver Ratmann Lisa J. Nelson Lisa A. Mills Donna Kabatesi Aaron A. R. Tobian Thomas C. Quinn Joseph Kagaayi Steven J. Reynolds Mary Kathryn Grabowski |
| author_sort | Joseph Gregory Rosen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract Introduction Population‐level data on durable HIV viral load suppression (VLS) following the implementation of Universal Test and Treat (UTT) in Africa are limited. We assessed trends in durable VLS and viraemia among persons living with HIV in 40 Ugandan communities during the UTT scale‐up. Methods In 2015–2020, we measured VLS (<200 RNA copies/ml) among participants in the Rakai Community Cohort Study, a longitudinal population‐based HIV surveillance cohort in southern Uganda. Persons with unsuppressed viral loads were characterized as having low‐level (200–999 copies/ml) or high‐level (≥1000 copies/ml) viraemia. Individual virologic outcomes were assessed over two consecutive RCCS survey visits (i.e. visit‐pairs; ∼18‐month visit intervals) and classified as durable VLS (<200 copies/ml at both visits), new/renewed VLS (<200 copies/ml at follow‐up only), viral rebound (<200 copies/ml at initial visit only) or persistent viraemia (≥200 copies/ml at both visits). Population prevalence of each outcome was assessed over calendar time. Community‐level prevalence and individual‐level predictors of persistent high‐level viraemia were also assessed using multivariable Poisson regression with generalized estimating equations. Results Overall, 3080 participants contributed 4604 visit‐pairs over three survey rounds. Most visit‐pairs (72.4%) exhibited durable VLS, with few (2.5%) experiencing viral rebound. Among those with any viraemia at the initial visit (23.5%, n = 1083), 46.9% remained viraemic through follow‐up, 91.3% of which was high‐level viraemia. One‐fifth (20.8%) of visit‐pairs exhibiting persistent high‐level viraemia self‐reported antiretroviral therapy (ART) use for ≥12 months. Prevalence of persistent high‐level viraemia varied substantially across communities and was significantly elevated among young persons aged 15–29 years (vs. 40‐ to 49‐year‐olds; adjusted risk ratio [adjRR] = 2.96; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 2.21–3.96), males (vs. females; adjRR = 2.40, 95% CI: 1.87–3.07), persons reporting inconsistent condom use with non‐marital/casual partners (vs. persons with marital/permanent partners only; adjRR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.10–1.74) and persons reporting hazardous alcohol use (adjRR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.03–1.16). The prevalence of persistent high‐level viraemia was highest among males <30 years (32.0%). Conclusions Following universal ART provision, most persons living with HIV in south‐central Uganda are durably suppressed. Among persons exhibiting any viraemia, nearly half exhibited high‐level viraemia for ≥12 months and reported higher‐risk behaviours associated with onward HIV transmission. Intensified efforts linking individuals to HIV treatment services could accelerate momentum towards HIV epidemic control. |
| first_indexed | 2024-03-07T21:24:28Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-0056f6e6e5f04561957c4778e7cda3c0 |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1758-2652 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-03-07T21:24:28Z |
| publishDate | 2024-02-01 |
| publisher | Wiley |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Journal of the International AIDS Society |
| spelling | doaj.art-0056f6e6e5f04561957c4778e7cda3c02024-02-27T05:18:27ZengWileyJournal of the International AIDS Society1758-26522024-02-01272n/an/a10.1002/jia2.26200Temporal dynamics and drivers of durable HIV viral load suppression and persistent high‐ and low‐level viraemia during Universal Test and Treat scale‐up in Uganda: a population‐based studyJoseph Gregory Rosen0Robert Ssekubugu1Larry W. Chang2Victor Ssempijja3Ronald M. Galiwango4Joseph Ssekasanvu5Anthony Ndyanabo6Alice Kisakye7Gertrude Nakigozi8Katherine B. Rucinski9Eshan U. Patel10Caitlin E. Kennedy11Fred Nalugoda12Godfrey Kigozi13Oliver Ratmann14Lisa J. Nelson15Lisa A. Mills16Donna Kabatesi17Aaron A. R. Tobian18Thomas C. Quinn19Joseph Kagaayi20Steven J. Reynolds21Mary Kathryn Grabowski22Department of International Health Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Baltimore Maryland USARakai Health Sciences Program Entebbe UgandaDepartment of International Health Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Baltimore Maryland USARakai Health Sciences Program Entebbe UgandaRakai Health Sciences Program Entebbe UgandaDepartment of International Health Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Baltimore Maryland USARakai Health Sciences Program Entebbe UgandaRakai Health Sciences Program Entebbe UgandaRakai Health Sciences Program Entebbe UgandaDepartment of International Health Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Baltimore Maryland USADepartment of Epidemiology Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Baltimore Maryland USADepartment of International Health Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Baltimore Maryland USARakai Health Sciences Program Entebbe UgandaRakai Health Sciences Program Entebbe UgandaDepartment of Mathematics Imperial College London UKDivision of Global HIV and TB Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Kampala UgandaDivision of Global HIV and TB Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Kampala UgandaDivision of Global HIV and TB Centers for Disease Control and Prevention Kampala UgandaDepartment of Epidemiology Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Baltimore Maryland USADepartment of International Health Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health Baltimore Maryland USARakai Health Sciences Program Entebbe UgandaRakai Health Sciences Program Entebbe UgandaRakai Health Sciences Program Entebbe UgandaAbstract Introduction Population‐level data on durable HIV viral load suppression (VLS) following the implementation of Universal Test and Treat (UTT) in Africa are limited. We assessed trends in durable VLS and viraemia among persons living with HIV in 40 Ugandan communities during the UTT scale‐up. Methods In 2015–2020, we measured VLS (<200 RNA copies/ml) among participants in the Rakai Community Cohort Study, a longitudinal population‐based HIV surveillance cohort in southern Uganda. Persons with unsuppressed viral loads were characterized as having low‐level (200–999 copies/ml) or high‐level (≥1000 copies/ml) viraemia. Individual virologic outcomes were assessed over two consecutive RCCS survey visits (i.e. visit‐pairs; ∼18‐month visit intervals) and classified as durable VLS (<200 copies/ml at both visits), new/renewed VLS (<200 copies/ml at follow‐up only), viral rebound (<200 copies/ml at initial visit only) or persistent viraemia (≥200 copies/ml at both visits). Population prevalence of each outcome was assessed over calendar time. Community‐level prevalence and individual‐level predictors of persistent high‐level viraemia were also assessed using multivariable Poisson regression with generalized estimating equations. Results Overall, 3080 participants contributed 4604 visit‐pairs over three survey rounds. Most visit‐pairs (72.4%) exhibited durable VLS, with few (2.5%) experiencing viral rebound. Among those with any viraemia at the initial visit (23.5%, n = 1083), 46.9% remained viraemic through follow‐up, 91.3% of which was high‐level viraemia. One‐fifth (20.8%) of visit‐pairs exhibiting persistent high‐level viraemia self‐reported antiretroviral therapy (ART) use for ≥12 months. Prevalence of persistent high‐level viraemia varied substantially across communities and was significantly elevated among young persons aged 15–29 years (vs. 40‐ to 49‐year‐olds; adjusted risk ratio [adjRR] = 2.96; 95% confidence interval [95% CI]: 2.21–3.96), males (vs. females; adjRR = 2.40, 95% CI: 1.87–3.07), persons reporting inconsistent condom use with non‐marital/casual partners (vs. persons with marital/permanent partners only; adjRR = 1.38, 95% CI: 1.10–1.74) and persons reporting hazardous alcohol use (adjRR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.03–1.16). The prevalence of persistent high‐level viraemia was highest among males <30 years (32.0%). Conclusions Following universal ART provision, most persons living with HIV in south‐central Uganda are durably suppressed. Among persons exhibiting any viraemia, nearly half exhibited high‐level viraemia for ≥12 months and reported higher‐risk behaviours associated with onward HIV transmission. Intensified efforts linking individuals to HIV treatment services could accelerate momentum towards HIV epidemic control.https://doi.org/10.1002/jia2.26200antiretroviral therapyHIV treatmentHIV viraemiaprospective cohortsub‐Saharan AfricaTreat All |
| spellingShingle | Joseph Gregory Rosen Robert Ssekubugu Larry W. Chang Victor Ssempijja Ronald M. Galiwango Joseph Ssekasanvu Anthony Ndyanabo Alice Kisakye Gertrude Nakigozi Katherine B. Rucinski Eshan U. Patel Caitlin E. Kennedy Fred Nalugoda Godfrey Kigozi Oliver Ratmann Lisa J. Nelson Lisa A. Mills Donna Kabatesi Aaron A. R. Tobian Thomas C. Quinn Joseph Kagaayi Steven J. Reynolds Mary Kathryn Grabowski Temporal dynamics and drivers of durable HIV viral load suppression and persistent high‐ and low‐level viraemia during Universal Test and Treat scale‐up in Uganda: a population‐based study Journal of the International AIDS Society antiretroviral therapy HIV treatment HIV viraemia prospective cohort sub‐Saharan Africa Treat All |
| title | Temporal dynamics and drivers of durable HIV viral load suppression and persistent high‐ and low‐level viraemia during Universal Test and Treat scale‐up in Uganda: a population‐based study |
| title_full | Temporal dynamics and drivers of durable HIV viral load suppression and persistent high‐ and low‐level viraemia during Universal Test and Treat scale‐up in Uganda: a population‐based study |
| title_fullStr | Temporal dynamics and drivers of durable HIV viral load suppression and persistent high‐ and low‐level viraemia during Universal Test and Treat scale‐up in Uganda: a population‐based study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Temporal dynamics and drivers of durable HIV viral load suppression and persistent high‐ and low‐level viraemia during Universal Test and Treat scale‐up in Uganda: a population‐based study |
| title_short | Temporal dynamics and drivers of durable HIV viral load suppression and persistent high‐ and low‐level viraemia during Universal Test and Treat scale‐up in Uganda: a population‐based study |
| title_sort | temporal dynamics and drivers of durable hiv viral load suppression and persistent high and low level viraemia during universal test and treat scale up in uganda a population based study |
| topic | antiretroviral therapy HIV treatment HIV viraemia prospective cohort sub‐Saharan Africa Treat All |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1002/jia2.26200 |
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