Authors
Samwel Sumba, Alexander Kailembo, Abbas Ismail, Prosper Njau, Alice Wang, Geofrey Mchau, Baraka Revocatus, Eliezer Anthony Taluka, Mary Mayige, Tepa Nkumbula, Faki Haji Faki, Optatus Malewo, Nyambura Moremi, Emilian Karugendo, Fahima Issa, Ame Masemo, Rebecca Laws, Divya Patel, Haruka Maruyama, Jerome Kamwela, Wafaa El-Sadr, George S. Mgomella, Mahesh Swaminathan, Sarah Porter, Ahmed Khatib
Abstract
Methods
We analyzed data from the Tanzania HIV Impact Survey (THIS) 2022–2023 among PLHIV aged 15 years and older. The analysis included 1,485 PLHIV on ART with VL results. Laboratory-based testing was conducted for qualitative detection of antiretroviral (ARV) drugs and quantitative evaluation of VL. Three VL levels were computed for the analyses: undetectable VL (<50 copies/mL); LLV (50–999 copies/mL); and VL non-suppression (≥1000 copies/mL). Unweighted absolute numbers and weighted percentages were reported for descriptive analysis. We used modified Poisson regression models to examine separately the prevalence and factors associated with LLV and VL non-suppression. We reported adjusted prevalence ratios (aPR), 95% confidence intervals (CIs) and p-values <0.05 were considered statistically significant.
Results
Overall, 76% of PLHIV in Tanzania had undetectable VL, 18% had LLV, and 6% had VL non-suppression. Among PLHIV with either LLV or undetectable VL, 19.5% had LLV and after multivariable adjustment, absence of ARV drugs detected in blood was the only factor significantly associated with LLV. Additionally, among PLHIV with either VL non-suppression or undetectable VL, 7.2% had VL non-suppression and after multivariable adjustment, absence of ARV drugs detected in blood and alcohol use were associated with VL non-suppression.
