Implementation and outcomes of a patient tracing programme for HIV in Trinidad and Tobago

Dados Bibliográficos

ID15540910
AutoresRobert J Edwards (0000-0002-4392-8998, University of the West Indies, autor correspondente), Nyla Lyons (0000-0002-6689-7995, University of Trinidad and Tobago), Chintan Bhatt (Baptist Health South Florida), Wendy Samaroo-Francis (University of Trinidad and Tobago), Avery Hinds (University of Trinidad and Tobago), Elena Cyrus (0000-0003-4449-1449, Florida International University)
Ano2019
Volume14
Fascículo11
Páginas1589-1597
Data de publicação2019-06-06
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessSim
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoGlobal Public Health (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1744-1692 • E-ISSN: 1744-1706
EditoraTaylor & Francis (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/17441692.2019.1622759
PMID31167605
OpenAlexW2950209987
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas4
Referências citadas22

A patient tracing programme was implemented at an HIV clinic in Trinidad and Tobago to address the problem of defaulters from HIV care and non-adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART). The study objective was to evaluate the implementation and outcomes of this programme conducted between April and September 2017. Using patient tracing contact methods, trained social workers attempted to contact 1058 patients lost to follow up (LTFU) between July 2016 and March 2017. Of the 1058 LTFU, 192 were ineligible: 27 (2.5%) were transferred to another clinic, 64 (6%) deceased, 35 (3.3%) hospitalised, 50 (4.7%) migrated and 16 (1.5%) incarcerated. Of the 866 eligible patients for patient tracing, 277 (32%) remained permanently LTFU and 589 (68%) were successfully contacted, re-engaged in care and received adherence counselling. Of the 589 who returned to care, 507 (86%) restarted ART. The three most common barriers reported among the 589 who were reengaged were 'forgetting their appointments' (20%), 'being too busy/work' (16%), and 'not wanting to be seen attending the HIV clinic' (12%). The study findings demonstrated the tracing programme as feasible for re-engaging those who are LTFU and highlighted barriers that can be addressed to further improve retention in HIV care among people living with HIV

Antiretroviral therapy · Contact tracing · Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19 · Family medicine · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Lost to follow-up · Viral load · HIV, Drug Use, Sexual Risk · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Sex work and related issues · Internal Medicine · Pediatrics · Surgery