Prevalence of false negative HIV results and associated factors among patients on antiretroviral therapy with a non-detectable viral load at Kisenyi Health Center IV

Abstract

Introduction: Studies in Sub Saharan Africa have found decreasing sensitivities of HIV diagnostic tests among people living with HIV (PLHIV) that have an undetectable viral load. This has often led to inappropriate antiretroviral therapy (ART)| discontinuation and discharge from care of false negative HIV-infected individuals. Study Objective: This study assessed the prevalence of false negative HIV results and associated factors among patients on antiretroviral therapy with a non-detectable viral load at Kisenyi health center IV. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted on 1121 PLHIV with undetectable viral load. Participants were recruited through consecutive sampling and data on socio-demographics and clinical characteristics was collected using an electronic questionnaire. And laboratory testing methods of serial rapid testing using an ELISA test as a gold standard. Logistic regression analysis was done using STATA version 14.0. Ethical approval was obtained from SOMREC. Results: The median age of the participants was 35 years [IQR 29, 43]. The prevalence of falsenegative rapid test results was 3.21% [95% CI; 2.18-4.24]. Time between a positive test and the start of treatment [aOR 0.75 95% CI; 0.57, 0.96] and most recent CD4 count [aOR 1.39 95%CI;1.12, 2.29] were significant. Conclusion: False-negative results occur in 3 persons for every 100 PLHIV on ART with an undetectable viral load. The time between a positive test and ART initiation and CD4 count were significantly associated with false negative results.