Assessing factors for loss to follow-up of HIV infected patients in Guinea-Bissau

Abstract

A large proportion of the patients at the clinic were lost to follow-up. The main reason for this was found to be the geographic mobility of the population in Guinea-Bissau.

Reasons for Missed Visits and Influence of Phone Call Reminders on Retention of HIV-Infected and Uninfected Children Followed in Cameroon: The ANRS-PEDIACAM Cohort

“…The reasons for NC to missed visits were mainly related to geographic mobility of population (relocation, travels), lack of time, and forgetfulness. These reasons are similar to those presented in other study (25). However, in our study, others important reasons like stigma, lack of money, and the cost of transport were not mentioned as indicated in some studies conducted in the resource's limited countries (22,(25)(26)(27)(28).…”

“…These reasons are similar to those presented in other study (25). However, in our study, others important reasons like stigma, lack of money, and the cost of transport were not mentioned as indicated in some studies conducted in the resource's limited countries (22,(25)(26)(27)(28). In fact, in PEDIACAM study, to avoid missing scheduled visits, free medical support and reimbursement of transport fares were brought to the children.…”

Excessive mortality and loss to follow‐up among HIV‐infected children in Guinea‐Bissau, West Africa: a retrospective follow‐up study

“…In a study on LTFU among adult HIV‐infected patients from Guinea‐Bissau, one‐third of the traced patients had died. Frequent reasons for LTFU among traced and living adult patients were moving, travelling, and transfer . Furthermore, frequent periods of political instability resulting in a shutdown of the HIV‐clinic at HNSM and the national laboratory have led to treatment interruptions and likely LTFU .…”

Prevalence and clinical characteristics of CMV coinfection among HIV infected individuals in Guinea‐Bissau: a cross‐sectional study

“…As a result of previous studies showing a high mortality rate among patients LTFU we performed a sensitivity analysis assuming all patients LTFU to be dead. However, no significant IRR for death appeared.…”