Factors Influencing Viral Load Suppression Among Adolescents on Antiretroviral Therapy:

Abstract

Introduction Jinja RRH is one of the public health care facilities offering free HIV care and treatment services in Jinja district. In 2015, the hospital started monitoring adolescent outcomes using viral load tests an effort to meet the third 90 of the UNAIDS 90-90-90 strategy. Objective of the study The main objective of the study was to assess the factors influencing viral load suppression among adolescents on ART in Jinja Regional Referral Hospital Methodology A cross sectional study design was used. A total of 238 adolescents on ART who had at least one viral load result recorded in their files at Jinja RRH participated from August to September 2016. Quantitative methods of data collection using a researcher administered questionnaires and Qualitative methods using key informant guide were utilized. Results The independent variables including knowing HIV status categories, getting support from family members, CD4 initiation, counseling evidence and WHO staging were a predictor of viral load suppression among adolescents aged 10-19 years at Jinja Conclusion The proportion of adolescents achieving viral load suppression at Jinja RRH is lower (59%) than the national level 75%. VL suppression among adolescents aged 10-19 years at Jinja RRH ART clinic is predicted by family knowledge of adolescent’s HIV status, getting support from family members, CD4 initiation, counseling evidence and WHO staging.

Recommendations Jinja Regional hospital should ensure that counselors work with adolescent and their close family members to ensure successful positive sero status disclosure. The hospital also needs to improve services to be adolescent friendly through age specific triaging and provision of privacy. The MOH and government should ensure Policy guidelines on pre-regimen counseling and adolescent friendly service design are revised and enforced. In addition, viral load testing should be made accessible to all adolescents through an effective referral system.