HIV Linkage to Care and Retention in Care Rate Among MSM in Guangzhou, China

We examined factors associated with linkage and retention in care longitudinally among MSM (n  = 1974, 4933 person-years) diagnosed and living in Guangzhou, China, in 2008–2014. We measured longitudinal change of retention in care (≥2 CD4 tests per year) from linkage and antiretroviral therapy initiation (ART). We examined factors associated with linkage using logistic regression and w ith retention using generalized estimating equations. The rate of linkage to care was 89% in 2014. ART retention rate dropped from 71% (year 1) to 46% (year 2), suggesting that first-year retention measures likely overestimate retention over longer periods. Lower CD4 levels and older age predicted r etention in ART care. These data can inform interventions to improve retention about some subgroups.
Source: AIDS and Behavior - Category: Infectious Diseases Source Type: research