Characteristics Associated with Timing of Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) Initiation Among People Living with HIV (PLHIV) in Tajikistan, 2019–2023
- Presentation Day/Time: Tuesday, April 21, 12:30 PM
- Presenter: Duduzile "Phindi" Mashinini, PhD, MS, Global Health Center, Division of Global HIV and TB
The Issue
- Tajikistan is experiencing a growing HIV epidemic, with a 20% increase in incidence over the past decade. Timely antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation is crucial for people living with HIV (PLHIV). Although Tajikistan has made significant progress in achieving rapid ART initiation within seven days of diagnosis, some people still begin treatment late.
What We Did
- We conducted a retrospective cohort study of late ART initiation among newly diagnosed PLHIV in Tajikistan from 2019 to 2023 to identify characteristics associated with delayed treatment initiation.
What We Found
- Tajikistan has made substantial progress in reducing late ART initiation, which declined from 19% to 4% during the study period. However, certain subgroups of PLHIV continue to be at higher risk for delayed treatment, including those living in the capital city of Dushanbe, people engaged in commercial sex work, and people who inject drugs.
What This Means
- Focused interventions are needed to improve timely ART initiation among specific populations, particularly people engaged in commercial sex work, people who inject drugs, and those living in Dushanbe.
