ABSTRACT
The variables influencing the interval between diagnosis and effective access to specialised care were studied in a cohort of 1542 human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-positive patients in Guadeloupe between 1988 and 2009. A retrospective cohort study was conducted to determine the risk factors for increased delay between HIV diagnosis and first specialised consultation. Patients with a subsequent follow-up interruption were significantly more likely to have a delayed first consultation after HIV diagnosis. Ordinal logistic regression showed that male sex (OR:1.40[1.20-1.74], p = 0.002), younger persons (OR: 1.50 [1.20-2.18], p = 0.001), patients in CDC category B (OR: 1.90 [1.30-2.70], p = 0.002), patients diagnosed before 1997 (OR: 2.70[2.10-3.50], p = 0.000), CD4 count 200-499 (OR: 2.80 [2.20-3.50], p = 0.000) and CD4 count>500(OR: 4.30 [3.20–6.10], p = 0.000) were independently associated with greater delays between HIV diagnosis and the first specialised consultation. Focusing on the link between the private sector and specialised health care may shorten delays and improve care and follow-up.
Manuscripts that are Published Ahead of Print have been peer reviewed and accepted for publication by the Editorial Board of the West Indian Medical Journal. They may appear in their original format and may not be copy edited or formatted in the style guide of this Journal. While accepted manuscripts are not yet assigned a volume, issue or page numbers, they can be cited using the DOI and date of e-publication. See our Instructions for Authors on how to properly cite manuscripts at this stage. The contents of the manuscript may change before it is published in its final form. Manuscripts in this section will be removed once they have been issued to a volume and issue, but will still retain the DOI and date of e-publication.
Our 7 faculties and 12 professional schools offer more than 200 programmes to some 18,000 graduate, undergraduate and continuing studies students.
The UWI, Mona ranks first in Jamaica among accredited tertiary-level programmes. In 2012, the University was again one of Jamaica’s Top 100 Employers.
