A note on the impact of late diagnosis on HIV/AIDS dynamics: a mathematical modelling approach

OBJECTIVES: The global incidence of HIV infection is not significantly decreasing, especially in sub-Saharan African countries. Though there is availability and accessibility of free HIV services, people are not being diagnosed early for HIV, and hence HIV-related mortality remains significantly high. We formulate a mathematical model for the spread of HIV using non linear ordinary differential equations in order to investigate the impact of late diagnosis of HIV on the spread of HIV. RESULTS: The results suggest the need to encourage early initiation into HIV treatment as well as promoting HIV self-testing programs that enable more undiagnosed people to know their HIV status in order to curtail the continued spread of HIV.