Transition from pediatric to adult care for adolescents living with HIV in South Africa: A natural experiment and survival analysis

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Brian Zanoni, Emory University; Moherndran Archary, University of Kwazulu Natal; Thobekile Sibaya, University of Kwazulu Natal; Nicholas Musinguzi, Mbarara University of Science & Technology; Jessica E. Haberer, Massachusetts General Hospital
• Language: English
• Date: 2020-10-27
• Publisher: PUBLIC LIBRARY SCIENCE
• Publication Version: Final Published Version
• Copyright Statement: © 2020 Zanoni et al
• License: Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1371/journal.pone.0240918
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: PLOS ONE
• Volume: 15
• Issue: 10
• Start Page: e0240918
• End Page: e0240918
• Grant/Funding Information: BCZ, Harvard Catalyst, 4KL2 TR001100-04, https://catalyst.harvard.edu JEH, National Institute on Mental Health, K24MH114732, https://www.nimh.nih.gov/index.shtml The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.
• Keywords: PEOPLE; INFECTED ADOLESCENTS; Science & Technology; Science & Technology - Other Topics; YOUNG-ADULTS; HEALTH; Multidisciplinary Sciences; OUTCOMES
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Human Development

Abstract

Objective To determine rates of retention and viral suppression among adolescents living with perinatallyacquired HIV who remained in pediatric care compared to those who transitioned to adult care. Methods We evaluated a natural experiment involving adolescents living with perinatally-acquired HIV who were attending a government-supported antiretroviral clinic in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Prior to 2011, all adolescents transitioned to adult care at 12 years of age. Due to a policy change, all adolescents were retained in pediatric care after 2011. We analyzed adolescents two years before and two years after this policy change. Outcomes were retention in care and HIV viral suppression one year after transition to adult care or the 13th birthday if remaining in pediatric care. Results In the natural experiment, 180 adolescents who turned 12 years old between 2011 and 2014 were evaluated; 35 (20%) transitioned to adult care under the old policy and 145 (80%) remained in pediatric care under the new policy. Adolescents who transitioned to the adult clinic had lower rates of retention in care (49%; 17/35) compared to adolescents remaining in the pediatric clinic (92%; 134/145; p<0.001). Retention in care was lower (ARR 0.59; 95%CI 0.43-0.82; p = 0.001) and viral suppression was similar (ARR = 1.06, 95%CI 0.89-1.26; p = 0.53) for adolescents who transitioned to adult care compared to adolescents remaining in pediatric care. Conclusion Adolescents living with perinatally-acquired HIV appear to have higher retention in care when cared for in pediatric clinics compared to adult clinics. Longer-term follow-up is needed to fully assess viral suppression. Copyright: