Browsing by Author "Kisige Emmanuel"

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    FACTORS ASSOCIATED WITH VIRAL LOAD NON-SUPPRESSION AMONG OLDER PERSONS LIVING WITH HIV IN MBALE CITY
    (2026-09-07) Kisige Emmanuel
    Background: Viral load suppression (VLS) is a key indicator of successful antiretroviral therapy (ART). Evidence on viral load non-suppression (VLNS) among older persons aged 60 years and above in Sub-Saharan Africa remains limited and inconsistent. In Uganda, VLNS among older persons is estimated at 7.5%-12.1%, but facility-based evidence on associated factors is limited. This study assessed the prevalence of VLNS and associated socio-demographic and clinical factors among older persons living with HIV (OPHIV) in Mbale City. Methodology: A facility-based cross-sectional study using secondary data from Mbale Regional Referral Hospital and The AIDS Support Organization (TASO) Mbale. Data were extracted from Electronic Medical Records and HIV Care Cards for all eligible OPHIV aged ≥60 years who had been on ART for at least six months and had documented viral load results between 1 January 2024 and 31 December 2025. VLNS was defined as a plasma viral load of ≥200 copies/mL. Data were analyzed using Stata version 17. Multivariable logistic regression was performed to identify associated factors. Results: A total of 1,476 OPHIV were included, comprising 718 from Mbale Regional Referral Hospital and 758 from TASO Mbale. The mean age was 65.6±5.1 years; 59.7% (n=881) were female, and 81.8% (n=1207) resided in rural areas. Overall, 10.0% (95% CI: 8.5-11.6) had VLNS. In the multivariable analysis, study site (adjusted OR [aOR] 1.60, 95% CI: 1.04-2.48), male sex (aOR 4.27, 95% CI: 2.81-6.48), rural residence (aOR 2.24, 95% CI: 1.22-4.10), non-DTG-based ART (aOR 13.66, 95% CI: 8.53-21.87), and polypharmacy (aOR 1.80, 95% CI: 1.01-3.21) were independently associated with higher odds of VLNS. Conclusion: VLNS affected one in ten OPHIV in Mbale City. Targeted HIV care for older men and rural residents, ART optimization, strengthened HIV service delivery, and routine medication review may help reduce VLNS among OPHIV.