Prevalence of self-reported diabetes risk factors and integration of diabetes screening and referral at two urban HIV care and treatment clinics in Zambia

• Published in: PloS one 2022-09, Vol.17 (9)
• Main Authors: Joy Noel Baumgartner, Namakau Nyambe, Lavanya Vasudevan, Prisca Kasonde, Michael Welsh
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• ISSN: 1932-6203
• DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0275203

People living with HIV (PLWH) on antiretroviral therapy (ART) are living longer and are at risk of HIV co-morbidities including non-communicable diseases (NCDs), particularly in low-resource settings. However, the evidence base for effectively integrating HIV and NCD care is limited. The Chronic Health Care (CHC) checklist, designed to screen for multiple NCDs including a 6-item diabetes self-report screener, was implemented at two PEPFAR-supported HIV clinics in Kabwe and Kitwe, Zambia. Study objectives were to describe the HIV care and treatment population and their self-reported diabetes-related symptoms, and to evaluate provider-initiated screening and referral post-training on the CHC checklist. This cross-sectional study enrolled 435 adults receiving combination ART services. Clinic exit interviews revealed 46% self-reported at least one potential symptom, and 6% self-reported three or more symptoms to the study team, indicating risk for diabetes and need for further diagnostic testing. In comparison, only 8% of all participants reported being appropriately screened for diabetes by their health provider, with less than 1% referred for further testing. This missed opportunity for screening and referral indicates that HIV-NCD integration efforts need more fully resourced and multi-pronged approaches in order to ensure that PLWH who are already accessing ART receive the comprehensive, holistic care they need.