Retention in HIV Care Programs and Its Association with Comorbidity Incidence and Viral Load Reduction
Background: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a critical global public health challenge, contributing to a growing burden of comorbidities and diminished quality of life among affected individuals. This study aimed to examine the association between retention in HIV care programs and th...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Bushehr University of Medical Sciences
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Iranian South Medical Journal |
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| Online Access: | http://ismj.bpums.ac.ir/article-1-2141-en.pdf |
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| author | Majid Alizadeh Mohammad Rashidi Evandi Maryam Jafar Sameri Elham Senisel Bachari Mohammad Kogani |
| author_facet | Majid Alizadeh Mohammad Rashidi Evandi Maryam Jafar Sameri Elham Senisel Bachari Mohammad Kogani |
| author_sort | Majid Alizadeh |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a critical global public health challenge, contributing to a growing burden of comorbidities and diminished quality of life among affected individuals. This study aimed to examine the association between retention in HIV care programs and the occurrence of comorbidities, as well as its impact on viral load suppression.
Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study included 190 HIV-positive patients (out of 202 active records) aged over 18 years who were monitored at the Khorramshahr Behavioral Diseases Counseling Center between 2017 and 2022. Demographic data, treatment characteristics, and clinical information were extracted from medical records. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, with statistical tests including ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation coefficient.
Results: The study found that 68.4% of the patients had high retention (attending>70% of scheduled visits), 26.3% had moderate retention (40–70%), and 5.3% had low retention (<40%). Higher retention was associated with increased CD4 counts and lower viral loads. Additionally, better socioeconomic status and higher education levels correlated with improved CD4 levels and reduced viral loads. Over half of the patients (55.3%) had at least one comorbidity, with hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and tuberculosis being the most prevalent.
Conclusion: Retention in HIV care programs is linked to enhanced immune function (higher CD4 counts) and improved viral suppression. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive support programs to promote treatment adherence, manage comorbidities, and enhance the quality of life for individuals with HIV. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-78ab77ac497d481fb91c15eee8c31957 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1735-4374 1735-6954 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Bushehr University of Medical Sciences |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Iranian South Medical Journal |
| spelling | doaj-art-78ab77ac497d481fb91c15eee8c319572025-08-20T02:34:47ZengBushehr University of Medical SciencesIranian South Medical Journal1735-43741735-69542025-06-01275384393Retention in HIV Care Programs and Its Association with Comorbidity Incidence and Viral Load ReductionMajid Alizadeh0Mohammad Rashidi Evandi1Maryam Jafar Sameri2Elham Senisel Bachari3Mohammad Kogani4 Medical Management and Information Department, School of Health Management and Information Sciences, Shi-raz University of Medical Sciences, Shiraz, Iran Department of Medical Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran Department of Medical Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran Department of Medical Basic Sciences, School of Medicine, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran Department of Biostatistics and Epidemiology, School of Health, Research Center for Environmental Contaminants, Abadan University of Medical Sciences, Abadan, Iran Background: The human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) remains a critical global public health challenge, contributing to a growing burden of comorbidities and diminished quality of life among affected individuals. This study aimed to examine the association between retention in HIV care programs and the occurrence of comorbidities, as well as its impact on viral load suppression. Materials and Methods: This descriptive-analytical study included 190 HIV-positive patients (out of 202 active records) aged over 18 years who were monitored at the Khorramshahr Behavioral Diseases Counseling Center between 2017 and 2022. Demographic data, treatment characteristics, and clinical information were extracted from medical records. Data were analyzed using SPSS software, with statistical tests including ANOVA and Pearson’s correlation coefficient. Results: The study found that 68.4% of the patients had high retention (attending>70% of scheduled visits), 26.3% had moderate retention (40–70%), and 5.3% had low retention (<40%). Higher retention was associated with increased CD4 counts and lower viral loads. Additionally, better socioeconomic status and higher education levels correlated with improved CD4 levels and reduced viral loads. Over half of the patients (55.3%) had at least one comorbidity, with hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and tuberculosis being the most prevalent. Conclusion: Retention in HIV care programs is linked to enhanced immune function (higher CD4 counts) and improved viral suppression. These findings underscore the need for comprehensive support programs to promote treatment adherence, manage comorbidities, and enhance the quality of life for individuals with HIV.http://ismj.bpums.ac.ir/article-1-2141-en.pdfhivhuman immunodeficiency viruscomorbiditiesviral loadcd4 lymphocyte |
| spellingShingle | Majid Alizadeh Mohammad Rashidi Evandi Maryam Jafar Sameri Elham Senisel Bachari Mohammad Kogani Retention in HIV Care Programs and Its Association with Comorbidity Incidence and Viral Load Reduction Iranian South Medical Journal hiv human immunodeficiency virus comorbidities viral load cd4 lymphocyte |
| title | Retention in HIV Care Programs and Its Association with Comorbidity Incidence and Viral Load Reduction |
| title_full | Retention in HIV Care Programs and Its Association with Comorbidity Incidence and Viral Load Reduction |
| title_fullStr | Retention in HIV Care Programs and Its Association with Comorbidity Incidence and Viral Load Reduction |
| title_full_unstemmed | Retention in HIV Care Programs and Its Association with Comorbidity Incidence and Viral Load Reduction |
| title_short | Retention in HIV Care Programs and Its Association with Comorbidity Incidence and Viral Load Reduction |
| title_sort | retention in hiv care programs and its association with comorbidity incidence and viral load reduction |
| topic | hiv human immunodeficiency virus comorbidities viral load cd4 lymphocyte |
| url | http://ismj.bpums.ac.ir/article-1-2141-en.pdf |
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