Early stages of HIV treatment cascade in people living with HIV in Saint-Petersburg,Russia |
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| Authors: | M. V. Vetrova O. V. Aleksandrova A. E. Paschenko S. E. Toropov V. V. Rassokhin R. A. Abyshev |
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| Affiliation: | 1. Laboratory of Clinical Psychopharmacology of Addictions, Valdman Institute of Pharmacology, First Pavlov State Medical University of St. Petersburg, Saint-Petersburg, Russia;2. Department of Addictions, St.?Petersburg Bekhterev Research Psychoneurological Institute, Saint-Petersburg, Russiamvetrova11@bk.ru;4. Department of Psychology, St.?Petersburg State University, Saint-Petersburg, Russia;5. Laboratory of Theoretical and Interdisciplinary Informatics Problems, St. Petersburg Institute for Informatics and Automation of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Saint-Petersburg, Russia;6. St.?Petersburg Centre for Control and Prevention of AIDS and Other Infection, Saint-Petersburg, Russia;7. Department of Infectious Diseases and Epidemiology, First Pavlov State Medical University of St.?Petersburg, Saint-Petersburg, Russia;8. Laboratory of Immunology and Virology of HIV Infection, Saint-Petersburg Pasteur Institute, Saint-Petersburg, Russia |
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| Abstract: | The proportion of people living with HIV (PLWH) in need of antiretroviral therapy (ART) is growing rapidly in Russia. Successful treatment outcomes reduces disease progression and contributes to HIV epidemic control.We conducted a pilot study following 100 PLWH newly found eligible for ART in St. Petersburg, Russia. We determined the proportion of PLWH who initiated ART, remained in treatment, and achieved an undetectable VL during 6-month follow up. Semi-structured interviews were conducted prior the initiation of ART and progress along the cascade was assessed through medical chart review. Individual characteristics associated with successful ART outcomes were assessed as part of efforts to generate hypotheses.Almost all (96%) participants initiated ART, full retention was demonstrated by 80%, among whom 71% achieved undetectable VL. Optimal retention was associated with older age and higher education (p?Interventions to improve treatment effectiveness should emphasize that initiation, optimal retention and achieving an undetectable VL are independent of drug abuse status. However, our pilot study highlights the need for the further research in the examining links between individual and structural factors and ART effectiveness. |
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| Keywords: | HIV ART adherence retention Russia |
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