Correlates of HIV Viral Load Suppression Among HIV Positive Adults on Care in Nakuru County, Kenya
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Date
2020
Authors
Nakazea, Rocky Jumapili
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Across the entire globe, 75% of people are aware of their HIV Status, at the same time
79% of the people living with HIV are now accessing anti-retroviral therapy while 81%
of those people are at the same time accessing the treatment and have suppressed viral
loads. Nakuru County viral suppression stands at 88.3 % (30,407) below the UNAIDS
target and National target (2020). The purpose of the study was to determine the
correlates of Viral Suppression in Naivasha Sub-County Hospital, Nakuru County.
Specific objectives were to determine the socio-demographic characteristics associated
with viral suppression in Nakuru County, to establish the patient health related correlates
associated with viral suppression in Nakuru County and determine the health system
correlates associated with viral suppression. A descriptive cross-sectional study was
carried out in Naivasha Sub-District Hospital. The study focussed on Naivasha SubCounty Hospital which currently has 2986 clients on care. The study focused on
Naivasha Sub-County Hospital which currently has 2986 clients on care with 2586 virally
suppressed which is 85.0%. A Sample size of 192 clients was selected using systematic
random sampling. Data was collected using questionnaires for patients and key informant
interviews who managed HIV clients in Naivasha Sub-County Hospital. Analysis was
analysed using SPSS (Version 24. 0): Descriptive statistics and inferential statistics
(Measures of association and correlation was applied) inferential statistics which was
done using logistic regression where likelihood or odd ratio was used to predict the
correlates of viral suppression. The study response rate was 100.0% whereby out of 192
cohort’s under study, 125 (65.0%) clients had viral load suppression below 1000 viral
copies/ microliter of blood and 67 (35.0%) clients with viral load suppression above 1000
viral copies/microliter of blood. The study found the following factors to be critical
predictors associated with viral load suppression; distance to facility, occupation,
adherence, and co-morbidity, leadership of facility and ARV regimen. The study made
the following recommendations; there is need of policy makers at County Level to
develop policies that focus on client’s centred management of viral load suppression. The
county level should advocate to the facilities on proper use of guidelines and come up
with new innovations of patient’s management through evidence based approach on the
existing policies. There should be improved coordination and programs ownership at
facility and County level that will foster continuity of services and facilities should
develop protocols on drugs sensitivity testing before changing regimen especially clients
with high viral load.
Description
A Research Project Submitted for Partial Fulfillment for
the Award of a Masters Degree in Public Health Systems
Management and Application at Kenyatta University
Keywords
HIV Viral Load Suppression, HIV Positive Adults, Nakuru County