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Monitoring the scale-up of antiretroviral therapy programmes: methods to estimate coverage
J Ties Boerma1, Karen A Stanecki, Marie-Louise Newell
1The World Health Organization, Geneva, Switzerland. boermat@who.int
Bulletin of the World Health Organization
|February 28, 2006
Summary
Estimating antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage in low- and middle-income countries is crucial for global health initiatives. This review details methods for tracking ART program progress and treatment needs, including for children.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Epidemiology
- Global Health
Background:
- Antiretroviral therapy (ART) is critical for managing HIV/AIDS.
- Low- and middle-income countries face significant challenges in ART program implementation.
- Monitoring ART coverage is essential for achieving global health targets like "3 by 5".
Purpose of the Study:
- To review data sources and methodologies for estimating ART coverage in low- and middle-income countries.
- To assess progress towards the WHO/UNAIDS "3 by 5" target.
- To estimate the number of people needing and receiving ART, including children.
Main Methods:
- Review of data sources for ART program coverage.
- Methods to prevent double counting and over-reporting in ART statistics.
- Estimation of ART and cotrimoxazole prophylaxis needs for children.
Main Results:
- An estimated 6.5 million people needed ART in low- and middle-income countries by end-2004.
- This included 660,000 children under 15 years.
- Mid-2005 ART coverage reached 970,000 people (15% of those in need).
Conclusions:
- Accurate estimation methods are vital for effective ART program monitoring.
- Significant gaps remain in ART coverage, particularly for children.
- Continued efforts are needed to scale up ART access in resource-limited settings.
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