Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 6, 2026
13:58
Amplifying and Quantifying HIV-1 RNA in HIV Infected Individuals with Viral Loads Below the Limit of Detection by Standard Clinical Assays
Published on: September 26, 2011
Viral load suppression after enhanced adherence counseling
Teshome Nadew1, Tadesse Mamo Dejene2, Abraraw Gebre3
1Department of Health, North Shoa Zonal Health Office, Debre Birhan, Ethiopia.
BMC Infectious Diseases
|July 21, 2026
Summary
Enhanced adherence counseling (EAC) improved viral load suppression in 64.3% of people living with HIV. Factors like alcohol use, khat chewing, and poor adherence impacted success, highlighting the need for targeted interventions.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Infectious Diseases
- HIV/AIDS Management
Background:
- Persistent enhanced adherence counseling (EAC) is crucial for viral load suppression in HIV-positive individuals, especially those with viral loads over 1000 copies/ml.
- Adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) remains a challenge, necessitating ongoing support and counseling.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate the effectiveness of EAC in achieving viral load suppression among ART clients.
- To identify factors associated with viral load suppression following EAC interventions.
Main Methods:
- A retrospective study analyzed data from 409 people living with HIV (PLHIV) enrolled in EAC between July 2018 and June 2023.
- Random sampling and data collection via Kobo Collect, with analysis performed using Stata 14.1.
- Binary and multivariable logistic regression identified factors associated with viral load suppression (p < 0.05).
Main Results:
- A viral load suppression rate of 64.3% was observed post-EAC.
- Factors negatively impacting viral load suppression included poor drug adherence, being single, residing in rural areas, alcohol consumption, and khat chewing.
Conclusions:
- The study did not meet the WHO target of 70% viral load suppression.
- Alcohol usage, khat chewing, marital status, poor adherence, and rural residence were significantly associated with unsuppressed viral loads.
- Recommendations include prioritizing clients with low adherence and addressing behavioral factors by multidisciplinary teams to optimize viral load suppression.
Related Concept Videos
01:10Retrovirus Life Cycles
Retroviruses have a single-stranded RNA genome that undergoes a special form of replication. Once the retrovirus has entered the host cell, an enzyme called reverse transcriptase synthesizes double-stranded DNA from the retroviral RNA genome. This DNA copy of the genome is then integrated into the host’s genome inside the nucleus via an enzyme called integrase. Consequently, the retroviral genome is transcribed into RNA whenever the host’s genome is transcribed, allowing the retrovirus to...
01:29Subviral Agents
Subviral agents are infectious entities that resemble viruses but lack one or more viral components, such as a capsid or essential replication machinery. These agents include viroids, prions, and satellites, each possessing distinct structural and functional characteristics that influence their mode of infection and replication.Viroids are the simplest subviral agents, consisting of circular, single-stranded RNA molecules without a protein coat. They exclusively infect plants, relying entirely...
01:22Antiviral Nucleoside Inhibitors
Antiviral Nucleoside InhibitorsAntiviral nucleoside inhibitors are structural analogs of natural nucleosides that interfere with viral DNA or RNA synthesis. These compounds selectively target viral polymerases due to their resemblance to host nucleosides, thereby disrupting viral genome replication.Mechanism of Acyclovir ActionAcyclovir is a guanosine analog with a three-carbon acyclic side chain. It selectively targets herpes simplex virus type 1 (HSV-1), herpes simplex virus type 2 (HSV-2),...