Retention in an antiretroviral therapy programme during an era of decreasing drug cost in Limbe, Cameroon

2011

Impact of Reduced ART Costs on Patient Enrollment and Retention in Cameroon

Sample size: 2920 publication Evidence: moderate

Author Information

Author(s): Mosoko Jembia J, Akam Wilfred, Weidle Paul J, Brooks John T, Aweh Asabi J, Kinge Thompson N, Pals Sherri, Raghunathan Pratima L

Primary Institution: Division of Global HIV/AIDS, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Mutengene, Cameroon

Hypothesis

Did the reduction in antiretroviral therapy (ART) costs improve patient enrollment and retention in care?

Conclusion

Reducing the cost of ART increased enrollment of clients in the program, but did not change retention in care.

Supporting Evidence

Enrollment rates increased from 46.5 to 95.5 persons/month after the price reduction.
54.7% of patients remained in care as of December 2005.
77% of patients were non-adherent to clinic visits.

Takeaway

When the price of HIV medicine went down, more people started treatment, but many still didn't stick with it.

Methodology

The study analyzed clinical and pharmacy payment records of HIV-infected patients initiating ART, comparing cohorts before and after a price reduction.