A cross-sectional study of viral load suppression among youth living with HIV in Namibia

Meeting the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS targets and ending AIDS by 2030 requires global efforts, with a particular focus on older adolescents living with HIV (OALHIV) and younger adults living with HIV (YALHIV). These population groups are often associated with unsuppressed viral load compared to adults.

This article assessed the extent of viral load suppression (VLS) and associated factors among this group in seven high-burden districts of Namibia.

A cross-sectional survey was conducted to analyse data for 600 OALHIV and YALHIV, aged 15-24 years, who were already on antiretroviral treatment prior to 2020. The study employed a stratified cluster sampling across seven districts. Data were extracted from an electronic database and analysed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) software. However, limitations within the database restricted the availability of certain variables.

Overall, the VLS (< 1000 copies/mL) was 84.8%, with female patients showing a significantly higher VLS 88.3% compared to male patients, with 78.5% (P < 0.01; odds ratio [OR] = 2.08). Although OALHIV had higher suppression (84.9%) than YALHIV (74.6%), age was not significantly associated with VLS (P = 0.9). Dolutegravir-based regimens had a suppression of 93.3% (P < 0.01; OR = 9.1), and those with a fixed home address had an 88.2% suppression (P = 0.014; OR = 1.76).

The VLS of 84.8% remains below the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS target of 95%. There is a need for improvements in antiretroviral treatment programmes, particularly in scaling up dolutegravir-based regimens, enhancing adherence and peer support to end AIDS by 2030.