PLoS ONE (Jan 2024)

HIV viral suppression in the era of dolutegravir use: Findings from a national survey in Tanzania.

  • Doreen Kamori,
  • Godfrey Barabona,
  • Werner Maokola,
  • Joan Rugemalila,
  • Macdonald Mahiti,
  • Mucho Mizinduko,
  • Amon Sabasaba,
  • George Ruhago,
  • Linda Mlunde,
  • Salim S Masoud,
  • Davis Amani,
  • Erick Mboya,
  • Sabina Mugusi,
  • Anath Rwebembera,
  • George Mgomella,
  • Sarah Asiimwe,
  • Beatrice Mutayoba,
  • Prosper Njau,
  • Takamasa Ueno,
  • Andrea Pembe,
  • Bruno Sunguya

DOI
https://doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0307003
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 19, no. 8
p. e0307003

Abstract

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BackgroundTanzania has made significant progress in improving access to HIV care and treatment. However, virologic suppression among people living with HIV (PLHIV) has not been fully realized. In March 2019, Tanzania introduced a World Health Organization (WHO)-recommended dolutegravir-based regimen as the default first-line regimen. Eighteen months later we investigated the HIV viral suppression rates and the factors associated with lack of viral suppression among PLHIV (children and adults) in Tanzania.MethodologyA cross-sectional survey was conducted from September to December 2020 among PLHIV on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Tanzania. Whole blood samples, demographic data and clinical information were obtained from eligible adults (≥15 years) and children (ResultsA total of 2,039 PLHIV on ART were recruited; of these, adults and children were 57.5% (n = 1173) and 42.5% (n = 866), respectively. Among the adult population, the mean age and standard deviation (SD) was 42.1 ± 12.4 years, with 64.7% being female. Among children, the mean age and SD were 9.6 ± 3 years, and 53.2% were female. Overall viral suppression at ConclusionDolutegravir-based regimens are promising to help attain epidemic control in Tanzania. More efforts especially on ART adherence are needed to attain optimal treatment outcomes for children and adults PLHIV in Tanzania.