The shinyanga patient: A patient’s journey through hiv treatment cascade in rural Tanzania

Nwanneka E. Okere, Veryeh Sambu, Yudas Ndungile, Eric van Praag, Sabine Hermans, Denise Naniche, Tobias F. Rinke de Wit, Werner Maokola, Gabriela B. Gomez

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

2 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The 2016–2017 Tanzania HIV Impact Survey (THIS) reported the accomplishments towards the 90-90-90 global HIV targets at 61-94-87, affirming the need to focus on the first 90 (i.e., getting 90% of people living with HIV (PLHIV) tested). We conducted a patient-pathway analysis to understand the gap observed, by assessing the alignment between where PLHIV seek healthcare and where HIV services are available in the Shinyanga region, Tanzania. We used existing and pub-licly available data from the National AIDS Control program, national surveys, registries, and rele-vant national reports. Region-wide, the majority (n = 458/722, 64%) of THIS respondents accessed their last HIV test at public sector facilities. There were 65.9%, 45.1%, and 74.1% who could also access antiretroviral therapy (ART), CD4 testing, and HIV viral load testing at the location of their last HIV test, respectively. In 2019, the viral suppression rate estimated among PLHIV on ART in the Shinyanga region was 91.5%. PLHIV access HIV testing mostly in public health facilities; our research shows that synergies can be achieved to improve access to services further down the cascade in this sector. Furthermore, effective engagement with the private sector (not-for-profit and for-profit) will help to achieve the last mile toward ending the HIV epidemic.
Original languageEnglish
Article number8418
JournalInternational journal of environmental research and public health
Volume18
Issue number16
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2 Aug 2021

Keywords

  • Access
  • HIV
  • Health services
  • Patient-pathway analysis
  • Sub-Saharan Africa

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