Concern expressed about non-adherence by HIV positive persons

With 33 new HIV cases recorded in St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) up to November this year, local medical officials have expressed concern about the non-adherence to treatment among those who have tested positive.

During the December 7 edition of RoundTable Talk, Infectious Disease Specialist, Dr Jose Davy highlighted the concerning trend that has been recognized with those who are expected to be on antiretroviral treatments.

She said while some persons may be able to fare well, others can progress to failing health quickly.

“I have experienced people who … were there with the virus. Ten years would pass and they would never be sick. As opposed to someone who, two years and they are severely ill.”

She said some HIV-infected persons could remain without a major medical crisis for between three to ten years. However, others who already have other illnesses can deteriorate to AIDS in a short period of time.

“Diabetics don’t fare well. Persons living with other diseases such as Human T-lymphotropic virus (HTLV) which we do have a lot here in St Vincent. Six per cent of the population.”

She said statistics point to a steady number of cases being recorded annually.

“Last year there were 54 recorded cases. Generally we run around 30 something per year. So there is no anomaly. When we are counting cases, it doesn’t mean that everybody has come forward. It means that in the lab they have documented these number of cases.”

For the overall statistics on HIV/AIDS numbers in SVG, Dr Davy said she believes there may be duplicates in the accepted national total, explaining that some persons may have been tested at different laboratories under different codes.

She said the over-reporting period may have likely occurred in the early 1990’s.

“I believe that persons went to one lab and got a test, went to another person under another code and got another test. According to our numbers we’re supposed to have 912 persons with HIV, when you subtract the deaths…. if they are not even 450 persons in care, where are the other half?

And if they really were out there, those persons should be sick or dead by now. So I am thinking that with our numbers, there were some duplicates.”

She estimated that the total may be less than the accepted 912 positive cases.

“Nonetheless we don’t want to underestimate our numbers, because we know there are persons who have not tested and they may be positive. If we were to keep our 912 currently living with HIV, it may be close to, in reality, a little less than that.”