Viral Suppression among People Living with HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy in N’Djamena : Analysis of 15 Treatment Sites
Fridam Dounia1,2*, Ali Mahamat Moussa3,4, Alain Nahaskida2,5, Fissou Henry Yandai6, Ahmat Mahamat Ahmat2, Mbenodji Djerabe Cedric7, Hadjara Adoum Souloum1,2, Mariam Saleh Bakay2, Zenouba Mahamat Kodokod2, Mahamat-Nour Aguid2, Mahamat Ali Bolti3,8
1Laboratory of Scientific Research, Diagnostics and Expertise (Labo-ReDES), Faculty of Human Health Sciences (FSSH), University of N’Djamena, N’Djamena, Chad.
2National Reference Laboratory for HIV and Viral Hepatitis, Sectoral Program for the Fight against AIDS, Viral Hepatitis and Sexually Transmitted Infections (PSLSH_IST), N’Djamena, Chad.
3Departement of Medicine, Faculty of Human Health Sciences (FSSH), University of N’Djamena, N’Djamena, Chad.
4Departement of Gastroenterology, National University Referral Hospital, N’Djamena, Chad.
5Food Science and Nutrition Research Laboratory (LARSAN), Faculty of Human Health Sciences (FSSH), University of N’Djamena, N’Djamena, Chad.
6Institute for Research in Livestock Farming for Development (IRED), N’Djamena, Chad.
7Directorate of Disease Control, Vaccination, and Epidemiological Surveillance, N’Djamena, Chad.
8Department of Medicine, Renaissance University Hospital Center, N’Djamena, Chad.
Citation: Dounia F, AM Moussa, A Nahaskida, Yandai FH (2026) Viral Suppression among People Living with HIV on Antiretroviral Therapy in N’Djamena : Analysis of 15 Treatment Sites. SciTech Immuno-Microbiology 2026
Received: August 01, 2026 Accepted: August 03, 2026 Published: August 03, 2026
Abstract
Introduction: Chad adopted the TLD (Tenofovir/Lamivudine/Dolutegravir) as a first-line treatment, in accordance with WHO recommendations, and it was necessary to evaluate the effectiveness of this transition. The aim of this study is to contribute to our understanding of HIV viral suppression in patients treated with DTG-based regimens and various other antiretroviral (ARV) regimens, and to identify associated factors.
Methods: This is a descriptive cross-sectional study conducted at 15 HIV care sites (PEC) from February to March 2022. Viral loads (VL) in patients on ARV therapy were determined using Generic HIV (Biocentric®) kits and the Xpert HIV-1 Viral Load XC (GeneXpert®) test. Sociodemographic, therapeutic, and virological data were collected using a pre-designed questionnaire. Data processing and analysis were performed using Stata software. Observations with missing data were excluded. The significance level used for the multivariate analysis was 5%.
Results: Of the 8852 expected HIV-positive individuals, 3259 (36.8%) had their viral load measured. Female patients were in the majority, with 1468 (98.4%) compared to 24 (1.6%) males. The 31- to 45-year-old age group was the largest compared to other age groups. The highest rates of viral suppression (VC < 1000 copies/mL) were observed with the combinations Tenofovir + Emtricitabine + Efavirenz (TDF + FTC + EFV) and Tenofovir + Lamivudine + Dolutegravir (TDF + 3TC + DTG), with identical results (85.1%). The best virological response was observed with the 2 NRTIs + 1 INIs (85.1%) and 2 NRTIs + 1 NNRTI (84.2%) regimens, and multivariate analysis of factors associated with viral suppression showed no significant difference between these two treatment regimens (p = 0.674).
Conclusion: The ARV drug combinations used generally resulted in good viral load suppression. DTG is a good alternative to other ARV drugs in first-line ART.
Keywords: Antiretroviral Therapy, Viral Suppression, People Living with HIV, N’Djamena
