George Alemnji1, Philip Onyebujoh, John N Nkengasong. 1. aDivision of Global HIV and Tuberculosis, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), Atlanta, Georgia bState Department Office of the Global AIDS Coordinator and Health Diplomacy (S/GAC), Washington, D. C., USA cWorld Health Organization, Regional Office for Africa, Intercountry Support Team for East and Southern Africa, Harare, Zimbabwe.
Abstract
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Viral load measurement is a key indicator that determines patients' response to treatment and risk for disease progression. Efforts are ongoing in different countries to scale-up access to viral load testing to meet the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS target of achieving 90% viral suppression among HIV-infected patients receiving antiretroviral therapy. However, the impact of these initiatives may be challenged by increased inefficiencies along the viral load testing spectrum. This will translate to increased costs and ineffectiveness of scale-up approaches. This review describes different parameters that could be addressed across the viral load testing spectrum aimed at improving efficiencies and utilizing test results for patient management. RECENT FINDINGS: Though progress is being made in some countries to scale-up viral load, many others still face numerous challenges that may affect scale-up efficiencies: weak demand creation, ineffective supply chain management systems; poor specimen referral systems; inadequate data and quality management systems; and weak laboratory-clinical interface leading to diminished uptake of test results. SUMMARY: In scaling up access to viral load testing, there should be a renewed focus to address efficiencies across the entire spectrum, including factors related to access, uptake, and impact of test results.
PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Viral load measurement is a key indicator that determines patients' response to treatment and risk for disease progression. Efforts are ongoing in different countries to scale-up access to viral load testing to meet the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV and AIDS target of achieving 90% viral suppression among HIV-infectedpatients receiving antiretroviral therapy. However, the impact of these initiatives may be challenged by increased inefficiencies along the viral load testing spectrum. This will translate to increased costs and ineffectiveness of scale-up approaches. This review describes different parameters that could be addressed across the viral load testing spectrum aimed at improving efficiencies and utilizing test results for patient management. RECENT FINDINGS: Though progress is being made in some countries to scale-up viral load, many others still face numerous challenges that may affect scale-up efficiencies: weak demand creation, ineffective supply chain management systems; poor specimen referral systems; inadequate data and quality management systems; and weak laboratory-clinical interface leading to diminished uptake of test results. SUMMARY: In scaling up access to viral load testing, there should be a renewed focus to address efficiencies across the entire spectrum, including factors related to access, uptake, and impact of test results.
Authors: Paul K Drain; Jienchi Dorward; Andrew Bender; Lorraine Lillis; Francesco Marinucci; Jilian Sacks; Anna Bershteyn; David S Boyle; Jonathan D Posner; Nigel Garrett Journal: Clin Microbiol Rev Date: 2019-05-15 Impact factor: 26.132
Authors: Trevor Peter; Clement Zeh; Zachary Katz; Ali Elbireer; Bereket Alemayehu; Lara Vojnov; Alex Costa; Naoko Doi; Ilesh Jani Journal: J Int AIDS Soc Date: 2017-11 Impact factor: 5.396