Determinants of late presentation of HIV positive individuals: a study in Kosovo

In recent years, the global response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic has encountered significant challenges, impeding the collective aim of eliminating AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. A major concern undermining this goal is the delayed presentation (late presentation - LP) of individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.

This study includes 85 HIV positive individuals with available CD4 count and viral load (VL) data at the time of HIV diagnosis, out of 169 registered people living with HIV in Kosovo. Employing descriptive and frequency statistics, Chi-square tests, non-parametric Mann-Whitney tests, and logistic regression analyses using SPSS Version 29, we generated statistical results with 95% confidence intervals.

The prevalence of LP in HIV positive individuals included in the study was 50.59%, with 30.59% classified as very late presenters (VLP). Determinants associated with LP included male gender, young adulthood, MSM mode of transmission, and a high viral load (log10 4.1-5.0 copies/mL). Comparative analysis with studies on this subject indicated similar patterns of LP in adults, males, and viral load, but different transmission mode patterns.

This research illuminates the specific determinants of LP in Kosovo, offering valuable insights for tailoring interventions to enhance timely diagnosis and access to care for people living with HIV/AIDS.