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INTRODUCTION: Access to antiretroviral treatment (ART) has expanded dramatically in resource-limited settings. Evaluating loss to follow-up from HIV testing through post-ART care can help identify obstacles to care. METHODS: Routine data were analyzed for adults receiving services in 2 public HIV care systems in central Mozambique. The proportion of people passing through the following steps was determined: (1) HIV testing, (2) enrollment at an ART clinic, (3) CD4 testing, (4) starting ART if eligible, and (5) adhering to ART. RESULTS: During the 12-month study period (2004-2005), an estimated 23,430 adults were tested for HIV and 7005 (29.9%) were HIV positive. Only 3956 (56.5%) of those HIV positive enrolled at an ART clinic or =180 days of potential follow-up time on ART, 317 (83.0%) had pharmacy-based adherence rates > or =90%. DISCUSSION: Substantial drop-offs were observed for each step between HIV testing and treatment but were highest for referral from HIV testing to treatment sites and for starting ART. Interventions are needed to improve follow-up and ensure that people benefit from available HIV services.
Micek et al. (Wed,) studied this question.