Assessing the impact of HIV support groups on antiretroviral therapy adherence and viral suppression in the African cohort study

• Published in: BMC infectious diseases 2021-07, Vol.21 (1), p.1-694, Article 694
• Main Authors: Mbah, Prudence, Esber, Allahna L, Dear, Nicole, Reed, Domonique, Tiamiyu, Abdulwasiu Bolaji, Kibuuka, Hannah, Maswai, Jonah, Owuoth, John, Bahemana, Emmanuel, Polyak, Christina S, Bartolanzo, Danielle, Reynolds, Alexus, Song, Katherine, Milazzo, Mark, Mebrahtu, Tsedal, Lee, Elizabeth, Bohince, Kimberly, Parikh, Ajay, Hern, Jaclyn, Duff, Emma, Lombardi, Kara, Naluyima, Prossy, Zziwa, Godfrey, Bagenda, Claire Nakazzi, Mutebe, Hilda, Kafeero, Cate, Ssentogo, Freddie, Wangiri, Paul, Nabanoba, Christine, Musingye, Ezra, Nanteza, Christina, Wandege, Joseph, Najjuma, Evelyn, Maggaga, Olive, Langat, Rither, Opiyo, Francis, Kasembeli, Alex, Ochieng, Christopher, Towett, Japhet, Kimetto, Jane, Leelgo, Mary, Rotich, Linner, Chelangat, Ella, Kesi, Zeddy Bett, Ngeno, Janet, Changwony, Enock, Bii, Mike, Ontango, Susan, Engoke, Grace, Airo, Alice, Sing'oei, Valentine, Rehema, Winnie, Otieno, Solomon, Adimo, Oscar, Okwaro, Charles, Onyango, Margaret, Obambo, Kennedy, Chittenden, Laura, Asuquo, Mfreke, Okoye, Ifeanyi, Odeyemi, Sunday, Umeji, Lawrence C, Enas, Onome, Chigbu-Ukaegbu, Ijeoma, Adai, Wilson, Odo, Felicia Anayochukwu, Abdu, Rabi, Nwandu, Helen, Okolo, Chisara Sylvestina, Ben, Otene Oche, Eigege, Nicholas Innocent, Joseph, Juliet Chibuzor, Okeke, Ndubuisi C, Parker, Zahra, Agbaim, Uzoamaka Concilia, Adegbite, Olutunde Ademola, Asogwa, Ugochukwu Linus, Adelakun, Adewale, Idi, Victoria, Eluwa, Rachel, Nwalozie, Jumoke Titilayo, Faith, Igiri, Wilson, Blessing Irekpitan, Elemere, Jacinta, Nnadi, Nkiru, Uzoegwu, Amaka Natalie, Obende, Theresa Owanza, Emekaili, Doris, Akinwale, Edward, Ochai, Inalegwu, Maganga, Lucas, Khamadi, Samoel, Lueer, Connie, Kisinda, Abisai, Mwamwaja, Jaquiline, Mkondoo, Dorothy, Kiliba, Paschal, Mwaisanga, Gwamaka, Edwin, Peter, Olomi, Willyhelmina
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Africa; Analysis; Antiretroviral agents; Antiretroviral drugs; Antiretroviral therapy; ART adherence; Care and treatment; Clinical outcomes; Cohort analysis; Confidence intervals; Drug therapy; Health aspects; HIV; HIV patients; Human immunodeficiency virus; Infectious diseases; Influence; Meetings; Participation; Patient compliance; Quality of life; Regression analysis; Regression models; Self-help groups; Social aspects; Social support; Statistical analysis; Support group; Support groups; Systematic review; Viral suppression
• ISSN: 1471-2334; 1471-2334
• DOI: 10.1186/s12879-021-06390-3

Support groups for people living with HIV (PLWH) may improve HIV care adherence and outcomes. We assessed the impact of support group attendance on antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and viral suppression in four African countries. The ongoing African Cohort Study (AFRICOS) enrolls participants at 12 clinics in Kenya, Uganda, Tanzania, and Nigeria. Self-reported attendance of any support group meetings, self-reported ART adherence, and HIV RNA are assessed every 6 months. Logistic regression models with generalized estimating equations were used to estimate adjusted odds ratios (aORs) and 95% confidence intervals (95% CIs) for support group attendance and other factors potentially associated with ART adherence and viral suppression. From January 2013 to December 1, 2019, 1959 ART-experienced PLWH were enrolled and 320 (16.3%) reported any support group attendance prior to enrollment. Complete ART adherence, with no missed doses in the last 30 days, was reported by 87.8% while 92.4% had viral suppression