Same-Day CD4 Testing to Improve Uptake of HIV Care and Treatment in South Africa : Point-of-Care Is Not Enough

Abstract EN

Background.

We evaluated whether a pilot program providing point-of-care (POC), but not rapid, CD4 testing (BD FACSCount) immediately after testing HIV-positive improved retention in care.

Methods.

We conducted a retrospective record review at the Themba Lethu Clinic in Johannesburg, South Africa.

We compared all walk-in patients testing HIV-positive during February, July 2010 (pilot POC period) to patients testing positive during January 2008–February 2009 (baseline period).

The outcome for those with a ≤250 cells/mm3 when testing HIV-positive was initiating ART <16 weeks after HIV testing.

Results.

771 patients had CD4 results from the day of HIV testing (421 pilots, 350 baselines).

ART initiation within 16 weeks was 49% in the pilot period and 46% in the baseline period.

While all 421 patients during the pilot period should have been offered the POC test, patient records indicate that only 73% of them were actually offered it, and among these patients only 63% accepted the offer.

Conclusions.

Offering CD4 testing using a point-of-care, but not rapid, technology and without other health system changes had minor impacts on the uptake of HIV care and treatment.

Point-of-care technologies alone may not be enough to improve linkage to care and treatment after HIV testing.