LAUSR

BACKGROUND Few studies in sub-Saharan Africa have assessed the impact of multi-month dispensing (MMD) of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and dolutegravir (DTG) beyond clinical trials among children with HIV (CWHIV). We assessed the effect of the two interventions on achieving undetectable viral load (VL) among CWHIV 0-15 years in Nigeria. METHODS We utilized longitudinal routine records, and cross-sectional survey data from caregivers of a sub-sample of children. VLs were considered suppressed at <1000 copies/ml and undetectable at <50 copies/ml. MMD was defined as ART refill for >84 days. The effect of MMD and DTG on VL levels, and associations between social factors and VL was estimated using generalized linear models, reporting adjusted relative risks (aRR)/prevalence ratios (aPR) and 95% confidence intervals (95%CI). RESULTS Of 2,490 CWHIV, 52% were male, with a median age of 10 years (IQR: 6-13) and median duration on ART of 4.6 years (IQR: 2.8-7.1). Overall, 73% were on DTG and 55% received MMD. At baseline, 63% were suppressed, while 79% and 56% were suppressed and undetectable in their last VL respectively.We found no differences in undetectable VL between those on MMD and not on MMD (aRR: 1.05 [95%CI: 0.94-1.18]); and between those on DTG and not on DTG (1.07 [0.92-1.25]). In secondary analyses, poor adherence and being in a support group were associated with lower likelihood of undetectable VL (aPR: 0.85 [95%CI: 0.74-0.96], and 0.81 [0.68-0.96] respectively). CONCLUSION MMD did not compromise treatment outcomes for CWHIV. Poor adherence however remains a barrier to achieving treatment targets.