Factors associated with non-suppression of HIV viral load: a case control study from the Lingwala Health Zone in the City-Province of Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of Congo from 2021 to 2023

Abstract

Context and objectives. In the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), despite advances in antiretroviral treatment (ART) for people living with HIV (PLHIV), there is a lack of data on non-suppression of HIV viral load (VL). The aim of this study was to determine the factors associated with VL non-suppression in PLHIV. Methods. An unmatched case control study was conducted among PLHIV aged 15 years and over on ART. The study took place from February 17 to July 15, 2023 in the 3 national structures of the Lingwala health zone (HZ). Cases were PLHIV with unsuppressed VL and controls were PLHIV with suppressed VL. A multivariate logistic regression was employed to identify factors associated with non-suppression of VL. Results. A total of 185 PLHIV, including 37 cases and 148 controls, were enrolled in the study. Factors associated with non-suppression of VL were HIV/TB co-infection (OR = 2.87; CI95%; 1.12 - 7.33, p = 0.027), previous tuberculosis (TB) (OR = 2.99; CI95%; 1.16 - 7.66, p = 0.022) and alcohol (OR = 3.79; CI95%; 1.43 - 10.04, p = 0.007). Conclusion. The study identifies TB and alcohol as the explanatory factors, so that early management can improve the therapeutic response. Received: July 23rd, 2024Accepted: May 2nd, 2025 https://dx.doi.org/10.4314/aamed.v18i3.9