Background: There are limited data to help guide implementation of differentiated HIV service delivery (DSD) in resource-limited settings in sub-Saharan Africa.
Objectives: This pre-implementation study sought to assess the proportion of patients eligible for DSD and HIV services utilization, as well as risk factor analysis of virologic failure in Sierra Leone.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective study of adult HIV-infected patients aged 18 years and older receiving care at the largest HIV treatment center in Sierra Leone 2019-2020. Multiple logistic regression was used to identify predictors of virologic failure.
Results: Of 586 unique patients reviewed, 210 (35.8%) qualified as 'stable' for antiretroviral therapy (ART) delivery. There was high utilization of certain HIV service programs (e.g. HIV status disclosure to partners (83%) and treatment 'buddy' program participation (62.8%)), while other service programs (e.g. partner testing and community HIV support group participation) had low utilization (<50%). Of 429 patients with available viral load, 277 (64.6%) were virologically suppressed. In the multivariate logistic regression analysis of risk factors of virologic failure, CD4 < 350 cells/mm3 (p = 0.009), atazanavir-based ART (p = 0.032), once monthly versus once two- or three-monthly ART dispensing (p = 0.028), history of ART switching (p = 0.02), poor adherence (p = 0.001) and not having received adherence support (p < 0.001) were independent predictors of virologic failure.
Conclusion: Approximately one in three HIV-infected patients on ART were eligible for DSD. We identified gaps in HIV care (i.e. low partner testing, treatment 'buddy', program participation and a substantially high rate of virologic failure) that need to be addressed in preparation for full implementation of DSD in Sierra Leone.
Keywords: HIV; Sierra Leone; differentiated care; implementation; resource-limited settings.