Retention in Care among Patients Attending a Large HIV Clinic in Nigeria Who Were Treated for Tuberculosis

A retrospective study of 2764 patients was conducted at an HIV clinic in Nigeria to evaluate retention in care in patients treated for TB. At 6 and 12 months after commencement of TB treatment, 1842(66.6%) and 1624(58.8%) participants remained in care. Of the 922 and 1140 not in care at 6 and 12 months, 814(88.3%) and 1006(88.2%) respectively were lost to follow-up (LTFU). VL < 1000copies/ml was associated with higher odds of retention in care at 6 and 12 months (OR = 2.351 and 2.393) than VL > 1000 copies/ml. HAART use was associated with high likelihood of being in care at 12 months (OR = 3.980). CD4 counts of 200–350 and >350 cells/mm(3) were associated with increased odds of remaining in care at 12 months compared with CD4 < 200 cells/mm(3) (p = 0.005 and p = 0.001). Targeted interventions such as early HAART and close follow-up for high risk groups are likely to improve retention in care.