Determinants of late presentation of HIV positive individuals: a study in Kosovo

Abstract

Background

In recent years, the global response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic has encountered significant challenges, impeding the collective aim of eliminating AIDS as a public health threat by 2030. A major concern undermining this goal is the delayed presentation (late presentation – LP) of individuals diagnosed with HIV/AIDS.

Methodology

This study includes 85 HIV positive individuals with available CD4 count and viral load (VL) data at the time of HIV diagnosis, out of 169 registered people living with HIV in Kosovo. Employing descriptive and frequency statistics, Chi-square tests, non-parametric Mann-Whitney tests, and logistic regression analyses using SPSS Version 29, we generated statistical results with 95% confidence intervals.

Results

The prevalence of LP in HIV positive individuals included in the study was 50.59%, with 30.59% classified as very late presenters (VLP). Determinants associated with LP included male gender, young adulthood, MSM mode of transmission, and a high viral load (log10 4.1–5.0 copies/mL). Comparative analysis with studies on this subject indicated similar patterns of LP in adults, males, and viral load, but different transmission mode patterns.

Conclusion

This research illuminates the specific determinants of LP in Kosovo, offering valuable insights for tailoring interventions to enhance timely diagnosis and access to care for people living with HIV/AIDS.

Keywords:

• HIV/AIDS
• late presentation
• Kosovo

Author contributions

Ilir Tolaj, conceptualisation of the work, drafting the work, interpretation of the data for the work, critically reviewing the work for intellectual content and final approval of the version to be published; Murat Mehmeti, design of the work, acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data for the work, review, final approval of the version to be published; Hatixhe Gashi, acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data for the work, final approval of the version to be published; Arbana Kasumi, acquisition, analysis and interpretation of data for the work, final approval of the version to be published.

Institutional review board statement

This case report was reviewed and approved by the Committee of Ethics of the Kosovo Medical Association, approval number 126/23.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Data availability statement

All data generated or analysed during this study are included in this article. Further enquiries can be directed to the corresponding author.

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.