Retention In Care And Its Related Factors Of People Living With HIV/AIDS In Changsha

Objective:To describe the retention in care among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Changsha, and analyze its related factors.Methods:A cross-sectional design was used. From January to July,2013, PLWHA who had registered in Changsha CDC were in the research. The questionnaires included:General questionnaire, Retention questionnaire, The Consultation and Relational Empathy Measure (CARE), Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-7), Generalized Anxiety Disorder (GAD-7) and Psychometric Assessment of the HIV Stigma Scale. The survey results were statistically analyzed using SPSS19.0statistical software.Results:1. Among all the registered PLWHA in CDC,380participants were in our research.40were lost and100refused participating in the research. Finally,240participants were interviewed and190questionnaires had integrity and valid.2. Retention in care:Among190participants, the sum of scheduled visits were446, the sum of actual visits were300. The total retention rate was67.3%. Among them,61.2%participants were in adequate care, they did not miss any visit in the past year.3. Perceived empathy:The total score of perceived empathy were (29.92±9.63). The item got the highest score that was "The health providers can explain what I want to know". By contrast, this item got the lowest score that was "The health providers help me to make plan".4. Mental health:The score of depression were (7.38±6.34), among the participants,101(53.1%) participants had depressive syndrome. The score of anxiety were (5.68±5.52), and87(45.7%) participants had anxiety syndrome.5. Perceived stigma:The score of perceived stigma were (113.72±16.51). The weighted score of four dimensions were (2.99±0.42),(2.88±0.46),(2.80±0.46) and (2.76±0.46) in Disclosure concerns, Concern with public attitudes about people with HIV, Personalized stigma and Negative self-image. The three items getting the highest score were "I hate HIV virus in my body","I try my best to keep secret about HIV infection" and "I will seriously consider telling somebody about HIV infection".6. Related factors of retention in care:Three statistically significant factors associated with retention in care were education level, antiretroviral therapy and CD4counts.Conclusion:The retention rate of PLWHA in Changsha was67.3%. The factors associated with retention in care were education level, antiretroviral therapy and CD4counts. The participants with higher education level, antiretroviral therapy and lower CD4counts are likely to have better retention rate.