Study of Entry and Continuation in Care for People Living With HIV in French Guiana

French Guyana is the French territory most affected by the HIV epidemic, with a prevalence estimated at between 1.13 and 1.18% of the adult population aged 15 to 49, and the incidence remains high at 0.90 per 1,000 people in 2018(1,2). Although French Guyana is a territory where the rate of screening per inhabitant is high, the proportion of infections diagnosed at a very advanced stage remains stable (from 30% in Cayenne to 45% in Saint-Laurent-du-Maroni). HIV/AIDS remains one of the main causes of premature mortality in French Guyana, with serious opportunistic pathologies specific to the territory, such as disseminated histoplasmosis.

The context of the discovery of HIV infection, the quality of the ensuing announcement and the time taken to introduce antiretroviral treatment are important determinants of the care pathway and the subsequent management in the "test and treat" era. Regular medical follow-up, good understanding of one's infection and good adherence to treatment allow the achievement of an undetectable viral load, immune restoration, maintenance of good health and reduction of the risk of secondary transmission (3, 4, 5)(3-5).

In 2018, the cascade of care in Guyana was estimated at 90% of PLHIV diagnosed, 91% of patients screened on treatment, and 94% of patients on antiretroviral treatment for more than 6 months in treatment success(1).

The WHO sets "Test and Treat" targets at 7 days following serological diagnosis in the absence of medical contraindication(6), or even the same day in circumstances where access to consultations is difficult. However, the median time for introducing antiretrovirals (ARVs) in French Guyana was estimated at 22 days in 2019(7), far from the 7-day target. This average delay, which is key to controlling the epidemic, has not been the subject of further analysis of its determinants. Territorial disparities are already apparent, with a longer delay in the west than on Cayenne Island (24 days at the West Guyana Hospital Centre and 20 days at the Cayenne Hospital Centre)(7).

On the other hand, the rate of LOS is high in French Guyana and particularly in Saint Laurent du Maroni where it is estimated that between 2 and 11% of people are lost to follow-up each year (1).