| dc.description.abstract | Introduction: Viral non-suppression is defined as viral load ≥1000 copies/ml according to WHO
guidelines. Viral non-suppression among patients on ART is important for timely detection of
treatment fai1ures, and 1dentification of patients who need to enhance adherence counselling.
Within a year of attaining the “90- 90-90” target, current records show that 53% of people living
with HIV (PLWH) have viral non-suppression worldwide. In Uganda, approximately 40% of the
people living with HIV on HIV treatment have viral non-suppression.
Objective: The objective of the current study was to assess factors associated with HIV viral non suppression among young people who underwent intensive adherence counseling in high volume
health facilities of Kyenjojo district, mid-western Uganda.
Methodology: Analytical cross-sectional study design utilizing quantitative method which was
conducted among 162 young people who had received intensive adherence counseling in selected
high volume health facility were randomly selected from one hospital, a health center IV, and four
randomly selected Health center III. The participants completed a structured questionnaire which
was in English and translated in Lutooro. Data was collected by administering pretested
structured questionnaires by trained research Assistants. Data was single -entered and analyzed
using statistical software version 22 for analysis. Frequency tables and graphs were used to
describe the study variables. Bivariate, univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis
methods were used to identify factors associated with viral non-suppression. Variables with P-value
of <0.05 with 95% CI were used to declare statistical significance.
Results: From the 162 adolescents who had completed comprehensive adherence counseling, level
of viral load non-suppression was high at 55.6%. Having secondary education (AOR=0.243,
p=0.034), having good ART adherence (AOR=0.290, 95% CI (0.105, 0.806), p=0.018) and being on
second line treatment (AOR=1.704, 95% CI (1.465, 6.245), p=.0218) were independently associated
with viral non-suppression.
Recommendations: Therefore the study recommends that Adherence is imperative for viral
suppression and should be assessed at every visit to identify and address possible barriers to
adherence among HIV positive young people who underwent intensive adherence counseling.
There is also need for further investments in enhancing adherence support among HIV positive
young people on ART such as trained adherence counsellors to help improve viral suppression and
barriers to adherence should be identified and addressed for all HIV positive young people before
switching to second-line therapy | en_US |
