Retention in HIV care among Southeast Asian people living with HIV: A systematic review and meta-analysis

Faculty of Nursing Universitas Padjadjaran Leads Research on Retention in HIV Care Among Southeast Asian Populations

Retention in HIV care is vital for reducing morbidity and mortality among people living with HIV. A recent systematic review and meta-analysis conducted by a team from the Faculty of Nursing Universitas Padjadjaran, Sidik Maulana, Prof. Kusman Ibrahim, S.Kp., MNS., Ph.D, Iqbal Pramukti, S.Kep.,Ners.,M.Sc., Ph.D., from the Department of Medical-Surgical Nursing, and Community Health Nursing,, together with collaborators from Universitas Indonesia’s Faculty of Medicine and Hasan Sadikin General Hospital, offers valuable insights into retention trends across Southeast Asia.

The study synthesized data from eleven studies covering 46,480 participants, finding that only about 75% remain engaged in care, lower than the recommended 95% target. Clinical factors such as high CD4 counts (≥200 cells/mm³) and WHO stage 3-4 were significantly associated with higher retention likelihood, while many demographic factors showed no significant influence.

These findings emphasize the urgent need for universal test-and-treat strategies and tailored interventions to strengthen HIV care retention in Southeast Asia. This research contributes to achieving Sustainable Development Goal 3: Good Health and Well-being, particularly in ending the AIDS epidemic by 2030.

The Faculty of Nursing Unpad’s commitment to rigorous research continues to drive meaningful public health improvements in Indonesia and the wider region.

Access the full publication: 10.33546/bnj.3719