부산대학교 도서관

The intervention required checking every 10th patient file ( I n i = 1538) with (1) an in-depth file review, (2) recording of viral loads (VL) and the "retention-in-care" status of the client and (3) an assessment of the "viral load-management process". Outcome measurements improved over the 4 years of the study, namely, the number of appropriate VL tests and the filing of results increased from 78% to 92% ( I p i = 0.0009), the number of patients who accessed their VL result increased from 59% to 86% ( I p i < 0.0001) and fewer patients, from 81% to 27%, required changes to antiretroviral therapy (ART) following the intervention. The participants were also examined, had their blood tested (HIV status confirmed, HIV viral load [VL] and CD4 cell count) and completed a "quality of life" questionnaire. Poor retention in care and unreliable treatment adherence challenge the success of antiretroviral therapy (ART) in this group of patients. [Extracted from the article]