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Recency of HIV infection, antiretroviral therapy use and viral loads among symptomatic sexually transmitted infection service attendees in South Africa
Kufa, T; Radebe, F; Cutler, E; Goosen, M; Wiesner, L; Greyling, D; Maseko, V; Kularatne, R; Puren, A.
  • Kufa, T; Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases. School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand. Johannesburg. ZA
  • Radebe, F; Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases. Johannesburg. ZA
  • Cutler, E; Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases. Johannesburg. ZA
  • Goosen, M; Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases. Johannesburg. ZA
  • Wiesner, L; Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town. Cape Town. ZA
  • Greyling, D; Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases. Johannesburg. ZA
  • Maseko, V; Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases. Johannesburg. ZA
  • Kularatne, R; Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases. Department of Clinical Microbiology, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand. Johannesburg. ZA
  • Puren, A; Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases. ivision of Virology, School of Pathology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand. Johannesburg. ZA
S. Afr. med. j ; 112(2): 96-101, 2022.
Article in English | AIM | ID: biblio-1358378
ABSTRACT
Background. Better integration of HIV and sexually transmitted infection (STI) prevention and treatment services is needed to accelerate progress towards the goal of zero new HIV infections. Objectives. To describe HIV positivity, antiretroviral therapy (ART) use, viral suppression and recency of HIV infection among symptomatic STI service attendees at two primary care clinics in South Africa. Methods. In a cross-sectional study, male and female STI service attendees presenting with symptoms consistent with STI syndromes were enrolled following informed consent. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was completed and appropriate genital and blood specimens were collected for STI testing and HIV biomarker measurements including recency of infection and antiretroviral (ARV) drug levels. Descriptive statistics were used to describe enrolled attendees, and to determine the proportion of attendees who were HIV-positive, recently infected, taking ART and virally suppressed. HIV-positive attendees with detectable ARVs were considered to be on ART, while those with viral loads (VLs) ≤200 copies/mL were considered virally suppressed. Results. Of 451 symptomatic attendees whose data were analysed, 93 (20.6%) were HIV-positive, with 15/93 (16.1%) being recently infected. Recent infection was independently associated with genital ulcer disease at presentation, especially ulcers with no detectable STI pathogens. Among the 78 (83.9%) with long-term infection, only 30 (38.5%) were on ART, with 23/30 (76.7%) virally suppressed. Conclusions. In a population at risk of HIV transmission, there was a high burden of recent infection and unsuppressed VLs. Incorporating pre-exposure prophylaxis, ART initiation and adherence support into STI services will be necessary for progress towards eliminating HIV transmission
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Full text: Available Index: AIM (Africa) Main subject: HIV Infections / Viral Load Type of study: Observational study / Risk factors Language: English Journal: S. Afr. med. j Year: 2022 Type: Article Institution/Affiliation country: Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases/ZA / Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town/ZA

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Full text: Available Index: AIM (Africa) Main subject: HIV Infections / Viral Load Type of study: Observational study / Risk factors Language: English Journal: S. Afr. med. j Year: 2022 Type: Article Institution/Affiliation country: Centre for HIV and STIs, National Institute for Communicable Diseases/ZA / Division of Clinical Pharmacology, Department of Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Cape Town/ZA