Abstract

Objective

To assess the programmatic quality (coverage of testing, counselling and
retesting), cost, and outcomes (viral suppression, treatment decisions), of routine viral load (VL) monitoring in Swaziland.

Design

Retrospective cohort study of patients undergoing routine VL monitoring in
Swaziland, 01/10/2012 to 31/03/2013.

Results

Of 5563 patients eligible for routine VL testing monitoring in the period of study, an estimated 4767 patients (86%) underwent testing that year. Of 288 patients with detectable VL, 210 (73%) underwent enhanced adherence counselling, and 202 (70%) had a follow-up VL within 6 months. Testing coverage was slightly lower in children, but coverage of retesting was similar between and age groups and sexes. Of those with a follow-up test, 126 (62%) showed viral suppression. The remaining 78 patients had WHO-defined virologic failure; 41 (53%) were referred by the doctor for more adherence counselling, and 13 (15%) were changed to second-line therapy, equating to an estimated rate of 1.2 switches per 100 patient-years. Twenty-four patients (32%) were transferred out, lost to follow up or not reviewed by doctor. The ‘fully-loaded’ cost of VL monitoring was $35 per patient-year.

Conclusions

Achieving good quality VL monitoring is feasible and affordable in resource limited settings, although close supervision is needed to ensure good coverage of testing and counselling. The low rate of switch to second-line therapy in patients with WHO-defined virologic failure seems to reflect clinician suspicion of ongoing adherence problems. In our study, the main impact of routine VL monitoring was reinforcing adherence rather than increasing use of second-line therapy.

Authors

Jobanputra, Kiran MBChB, MPH, MRCGP; Parker, Lucy Anne BSc, MPH, PhD; Azih, Charles MD, MPH; Okello, Velephi MBCHB, BSc, MPH; Maphalala, Gugu BSc, MSc; Jouquet, Guillaume MSc; Kerschberger, Bernhard MD, MSc; Mekeidje, Calorine MD; Cyr, Joanne PhD; Mafikudze, Arnold MBChB, MSc; Han, Win MD; Lujan, Johnny MD, MPH; Teck, Roger MD, MPH; Antierens, Annick MD, BPH; van Grievensen, Johan MD, PhD; Reid, Tony MD, MSc, FCFP