Correlates of viral suppression among HIV-infected men who have sex with men and transgender women in Lima, Peru

Abstract

In Peru, HIV is concentrated among men who have sex with men (MSM) and transgender women (TGW). Between June 2015 and August 2016, 591 HIV-positive MSM and TGW were recruited at five clinical care sites in Lima, Peru. We found that 82.4% of the participants had achieved viral suppression (VS; VL < 200) and 73.6% had achieved maximal viral suppression (MVS; VL < 50). Multivariable modeling indicated that patients reporting transportation as a barrier to HIV care were less likely to achieve VS (aOR = 0.47; 95% CI = 0.30-0.75) and MVS (aOR = 0.56; 95% CI = 0.37-0.84). Alcohol use disorders were negatively associated with MVS (aOR = 0.62; 95% CI = 0.30-0.75) and age was positively associated with achieving MVS (aOR = 1.29; 95% CI = 1.04-1.59). These findings underscore the need for more accessible HIV care with integrated behavioral health services in Lima, Peru.