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High Levels of Heterogeneity in the HIV Cascade of Care across Different Population Subgroups in British Columbia, Canada

Resource type
Date created
2014-12-26
Authors/Contributors
Abstract
BackgroundThe HIV cascade of care (cascade) is a comprehensive tool which identifies attrition along the HIV care continuum. We executed analyses to explicate heterogeneity in the cascade across key strata, as well as identify predictors of attrition across stages of the cascade.MethodsUsing linked individual-level data for the population of HIV-positive individuals in BC, we considered the 2011 calendar year, including individuals diagnosed at least 6 months prior, and excluding individuals that died or were lost to follow-up before January 1st, 2011. We defined five stages in the cascade framework: HIV ‘diagnosed’, ‘linked’ to care, ‘retained’ in care, ‘on HAART’ and virologically ‘suppressed’. We stratified the cascade by sex, age, risk category, and regional health authority. Finally, multiple logistic regression models were built to predict attrition across each stage of the cascade, adjusting for stratification variables.ResultsWe identified 7621 HIV diagnosed individuals during the study period; 80% were male and 5% were <30, 17% 30–39, 37% 40–49 and 40% were ≥50 years. Of these, 32% were MSM, 28% IDU, 8% MSM/IDU, 12% heterosexual, and 20% other. Overall, 85% of individuals ‘on HAART’ were ‘suppressed’; however, this proportion ranged from 60%–93% in our various stratifications. Most individuals, in all subgroups, were lost between the stages: ‘linked’ to ‘retained’ and ‘on HAART’ to ‘suppressed’. Subgroups with the highest attrition between these stages included females and individuals <30 years (regardless of transmission risk group). IDUs experienced the greatest attrition of all subgroups. Logistic regression results found extensive statistically significant heterogeneity in attrition across the cascade between subgroups and regional health authorities.ConclusionsWe found that extensive heterogeneity in attrition existed across subgroups and regional health authorities along the HIV cascade of care in B.C., Canada. Our results provide critical information to optimize engagement in care and health service delivery.
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Published as
Lourenço L, Colley G, Nosyk B, Shopin D, Montaner JSG, et al. (2014) High Levels of Heterogeneity in the HIV Cascade of Care across Different Population Subgroups in British Columbia, Canada. PLoS ONE 9(12): e115277. doi:10.1371/journal.pone.0115277
Publication title
PLoS ONE
Document title
High Levels of Heterogeneity in the HIV Cascade of Care across Different Population Subgroups in British Columbia, Canada
Date
2014
Volume
9
Issue
12
Publisher DOI
10.1371/journal.pone.0115277
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Copyright is held by the author(s).
Scholarly level
Peer reviewed?
Yes
Language
English
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5.pdf 5.84 MB

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