Sociodemographic factors affecting viral load suppression among people living with HIV in South Carolina

AIDS Care. 2021 Mar;33(3):290-298. doi: 10.1080/09540121.2019.1703892. Epub 2019 Dec 19.

Abstract

Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) enables people living with HIV (PLWH) to reach and maintain viral suppression. As viral suppression significantly reduces risk for secondary transmission, this study aimed to examine sociodemographic factors associated with viral suppression among PLWH in South Carolina (SC). We analyzed cross-sectional data collected from 342 PLWH receiving HIV care from a large clinic in SC and provided complete information on most recent viral load, ART adherence, and sociodemographic factors. Bivariate analysis examined associations between key variables, and logistic regression was used to calculate the odds of viral suppression among select sociodemographic groups and adherence levels. Results indicated that approximately 82% of participants reported achieving viral suppression. PLWH who were older, male, and employed full-time had higher odds of being virally suppressed compared to those who were younger, female, and unemployed. PLWH with medium (adjusted Odds Ratio [aOR]: 3.79; 95% CI: 1.15-12.48) and high (aOR: 3.51; 95% CI: 1.21-10.24) levels of adherence were more likely to report viral suppression than those with low adherence. Targeted interventions are warranted for groups at-risk of low ART adherence, and healthcare providers should also be aware of contextual factors that serve as barriers to adherence for PLWH.

Keywords: HIV; adherence; sociodemographic; viral suppression.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Adolescent
  • Adult
  • Anti-HIV Agents / therapeutic use*
  • Antiretroviral Therapy, Highly Active*
  • Cross-Sectional Studies
  • Female
  • HIV Infections / drug therapy*
  • HIV Infections / epidemiology
  • HIV Infections / psychology
  • HIV Infections / virology*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medication Adherence / statistics & numerical data*
  • Middle Aged
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • South Carolina / epidemiology
  • Viral Load / drug effects*
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents