Evaluating the Outcomes of Enhanced Adherence Counselling Intervention on Clients with High Viral Loads in Selected Health Facilities in Monze District

Abstract

ABSTRACTTo investigate the changes in Viral Load(VL) during Enhanced Adherence Counselling (EAC) sessions and its determinants among ART clients with unsuppressed VLs in Monze district.MethodA Cross-sectional study involving 616 HVL ART clients from 15 health facilities in Monze district which was conducted between October 1 2019 and March 30 2021.ResultsOut of 616 clients analysed, there was an improvement in viral load suppression following completion of EAC with a final outcome of 61% suppression. 28.7% remained unsuppressed. A total of 9.1% had no final viral load results documented and 0.2 % had been transferred out of their respective facilities and were not included in the study. Collection of repeat Viral loads was done on 84% of the clients with high viral load results while 16% had no record of sample collection. A total of 56 results were not received giving a result return of 89% from repeat samples collected. Females had a 40% likelihood of being unsuppressed at 95% CI (41% to 86%) compared to the males.ConclusionEAC improves the outcomes of HVLs and should be encouraged on all high viral clients. Programs should be developed to improve suppression in females on ART