BACKGROUND: Men who have sex with men (MSM) and female sex workers (FSW) are more likely to be living with HIV and experience difficulty accessing HIV health services due to stigma and discrimination. Antiretroviral treatment and sustained viral suppression among individuals living with HIV is the last step in the continuum of HIV care, which has been shown to improve health outcomes and decrease the risk of onward transmission of HIV. METHODS: To calculate the numerator and denominator for antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage estimates among MSM and FSW living with HIV, the Priority Locations for AIDS Control Efforts methods were modified to include individual quantitative interviews, health service assessment and mapping, and size estimation in 7 cities in Cameroon. MSM and FSW were recruited using peer referral and venue-based sampling. The numerator was calculated from interviews with MSM and FSW. Population size estimation of MSM and FSW was used to determine the denominator. RESULTS: Antiretroviral coverage varied by site from 0% to 25% among HIV infected MSM and FSW. ART provision to the general population was reported at a significantly greater proportion of HIV health centers (56.5%) than ART provision to MSM and FSW populations (13.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of MSM and FSW living with HIV and eligible for treatment in Cameroon are not connected to ART care. Additionally, ART provision for MSM and FSW at HIV health centers is insufficient. Characterizing effective strategies to reach optimal levels of engagement in the continuum of HIV care among MSM and FSW is essential for an AIDS-free generation for Cameroon.
BACKGROUND:Men who have sex with men (MSM) and female sex workers (FSW) are more likely to be living with HIV and experience difficulty accessing HIV health services due to stigma and discrimination. Antiretroviral treatment and sustained viral suppression among individuals living with HIV is the last step in the continuum of HIV care, which has been shown to improve health outcomes and decrease the risk of onward transmission of HIV. METHODS: To calculate the numerator and denominator for antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage estimates among MSM and FSW living with HIV, the Priority Locations for AIDS Control Efforts methods were modified to include individual quantitative interviews, health service assessment and mapping, and size estimation in 7 cities in Cameroon. MSM and FSW were recruited using peer referral and venue-based sampling. The numerator was calculated from interviews with MSM and FSW. Population size estimation of MSM and FSW was used to determine the denominator. RESULTS: Antiretroviral coverage varied by site from 0% to 25% among HIV infected MSM and FSW. ART provision to the general population was reported at a significantly greater proportion of HIV health centers (56.5%) than ART provision to MSM and FSW populations (13.2%). CONCLUSIONS: The majority of MSM and FSW living with HIV and eligible for treatment in Cameroon are not connected to ART care. Additionally, ART provision for MSM and FSW at HIV health centers is insufficient. Characterizing effective strategies to reach optimal levels of engagement in the continuum of HIV care among MSM and FSW is essential for an AIDS-free generation for Cameroon.
Authors: Yinfeng Zhang; Jessica M Fogel; Xu Guo; William Clarke; Autumn Breaud; Vanessa Cummings; Erica L Hamilton; Arthur Ogendo; Noel Kayange; Ravindre Panchia; Karen Dominguez; Ying Q Chen; Theodorus Sandfort; Susan H Eshleman Journal: AIDS Date: 2018-06-19 Impact factor: 4.177
Authors: William M Miller; William C Miller; Clare Barrington; Sharon S Weir; Sanny Y Chen; Michael E Emch; Audrey E Pettifor; Gabriela Paz-Bailey Journal: AIDS Behav Date: 2017-12
Authors: Clare Barrington; Kelly Knudston; Olga Alicia Paz Bailey; Jose Manuel Aguilar; Marilu Itzel Loya-Montiel; Sonia Morales-Miranda Journal: J Health Care Poor Underserved Date: 2016
Authors: Claire E Holland; Seni Kouanda; Marcel Lougué; Vincent Palokinam Pitche; Sheree Schwartz; Simplice Anato; Henri Gautier Ouedraogo; Jules Tchalla; Clarence S Yah; Laurent Kapesa; Sosthenes Ketende; Chris Beyrer; Stefan Baral Journal: Public Health Rep Date: 2016-11-14 Impact factor: 2.792
Authors: Jennifer L Glick; Rienna G Russo; Aimee Kao-Hsuan Huang; Belinda Jivapong; Vijayasundaram Ramasamy; Lori M Rosman; Danielle L Pelaez; Susan G Sherman Journal: Glob Public Health Date: 2020-12-10
Authors: Kathryn Elizabeth Lancaster; Kimberly A Powers; Thandie Lungu; Pearson Mmodzi; Mina C Hosseinipour; Katy Chadwick; Vivian F Go; Brian W Pence; Irving F Hoffman; William C Miller Journal: PLoS One Date: 2016-01-25 Impact factor: 3.240