Title
Evaluation of Longitudinal Clinical Outcomes and Adherence to Care among HIV-Infected Refugees
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
2013
Published In
Journal of the International Association of Physicians in AIDS Care
Volume
12
Issue
3
Pages
202-207
DOI
10.1177/1545109712459680
Recommended Citation
Published online before print, September 28, 2012
Abstract
Background: HIV-infected refugees resettled in the United States face many challenges. Longitudinal data regarding HIV-specific outcomes in this population are limited. Methods: We reviewed charts of 51 HIV-infected sub-Saharan African refugees matched to 102 nonrefugees. Outcomes analyzed included CD4 counts, viral loads (VLs), antiretroviral treatment (ART) use, appointment adherence, opportunistic infections, and resistance mutations. Results: The ART initiation was similar. Appointment adherence was similar in year 1, but refugees were significantly less adherent beyond year 3. Refugees and nonrefugees spent similar amounts of time in care suppressed (83% vs 80%, P = .93). Refugees had higher odds of viremia following undetectable VL (OR 2.3, P < .05). Discussion: Initially, sub-Saharan African HIV-infected refugees have comparable appointment adherence, ART use, and VL suppression to nonrefugees. Overtime refugees were less adherent to appointments and more likely to have postsuppression viremia. The support services provided to refugees early in care may be important for retention in care and treatment success.
Keywords
refugee, sub-Saharan Africa, HIV, clinic adherence, postsuppression viremia