Demographic and Clinical Characteristics Predicting Missed Clinic Visits among Patients Living with HIV on Antiretroviral Treatment in Kinshasa and Haut-Katanga Provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo

Abstract

Background: Patients living with HIV (PLHIV) often face challenges that contribute to missed clinical care which can impact their health outcomes. Methods: This retrospective quantitative study comprised 5338 adults living with HIV who received antiretroviral treatment (ART) for 12 months, from July 2018 to June 2019 in Kinshasa and Haut-Katanga provinces of the Democratic Republic of Congo. Descriptive statistics were computed to show the level of missed appointments for ART. Multivariable associations of clinical and sociodemographic factors with a tendency to miss scheduled visits after adjusting for the covariates were examined using multivariable logistic regression analysis. Results: Six percent of PLHIV experienced at least one missed visit while 94% did not miss any visits. A small proportion (20%) of PLHIV had a viral load ≥1000 copies/mL. PLHIV receiving ART from urban clinics showed significantly higher odds of missed visits compared to those from rural areas (AOR = 4.18, 95% CI [1.84–9.511]; p < 0.0001). Similarly, patients from semi-rural/semi-urban clinics showed significantly higher odds of missed visits compared to those from rural areas. (AOR = 2.57, 95% CI [1.08–6.141]; p = 0.03). Additionally, older PLHIV (18–34 years old) demonstrated increased odds of missed visits (AOR= 1.71, 95% CI [1.0078–2.697]; p = 0.02) compared to those under 18 years old. Conclusions: The findings from this study strongly suggest that there is a significant association between certain demographic factors, such as age and rurality-urbanicity, and missed visits. The study findings have implications for policy and interventions targeting PLHIV at higher risk of missed visits.