Continuum of care of people living with hiv and gaps in achieving the 90-90-90 goals in Peru

Abstract

In 2013, the Joint United Nations Programme on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) proposed, in terms of public health, to end the HIV epidemic by 2030 by achieving the so-called 90-90-90 targets by 2020. This goal will only be possible if coverage in the HIV care continuum indicators is increased. With the methodology proposed by PAHO/WHO, this paper estimates the indicators of the continuum of care in Peru for 2014, consisting of diagnostic coverage, antiretroviral treatment (ART), and viral suppression in people living with HIV (PLHIV). Of the 72,000 PLHIV estimated in Peru for 2014, 64% were diagnosed, 56% and 55% were linked and retained in the system, respectively; 46% were receiving ART, and 36% had viral suppression. The main gaps identified were: 19,917 PLHIV did not know their diagnosis, 25,078 had no access to treatment, and 25,633 did not achieve viral suppression at study closing. This is the first estimation exercise of the continuum of care indicators in Peru. These indicators will serve as a baseline for the monitoring progress toward the 90- 90-90 Targets. It is also the starting point for analysis and research on the determinants of each gap and new proposals by authorities and actors involved in the fight against HIV in Peru.