Factors associated with the interruption of antiretroviral therapy among people living with HIV/AIDS in Brazilian municipalities between 2019 and 2022

Abstract

Objective: To analyze the factors associated with antiretroviral therapy interruption among people living with the human immunodeficiency virus participating in the A Hora é Agora [The Time is Now] project in the municipalities of Campo Grande, Curitiba, and Florianópolis. Methods: This is a cross-sectional analytical study using data from the Brazilian Medication Logistics Control System, collected between October 2019 and September 2022. Bivariate analyses were performed to assess associations between sex, age group, race/skin color, and level of education, with the outcomes of treatment interruption and the number of times the treatment was interrupted, using the χ2 test with a 5% significance level. Results: In Campo Grande, treatment interruption was more frequent among individuals with eight to 11 years of formal education (34.0%). In Curitiba, women (20.4%) showed a higher frequency of treatment interruption, and the age group of 50 years or older had a higher likelihood of treatment interruption (OR: 1.73; 95%CI: 1.12–2.66). In Florianópolis, 31.1% of women experienced treatment interruption, and individuals with up to seven years of formal education had a higher likelihood of treatment interruption (OR: 1.62; 95%CI: 1.15–2.29). Conclusions: The interruption of antiretroviral therapy was significantly associated with sex, level of education, and age group, with distinct patterns across the analyzed territorial contexts. These findings highlight the need for targeted interventions aimed at vulnerable groups, considering regional differences and local challenges to improve treatment adherence.