Tracking and Continuity of Care in Advanced HIV Disease

Despite the scale-up of HIV testing and the implementation of the universal test-and-treat policy, a substantial proportion of people living with HIV (PLHIV) continue to present with advanced HIV disease (AHD), defined by a CD4 count below 200 cells/µL and/or WHO clinical staging of stage 3 or 4. Global and regional analyses estimate that nearly half of hospitalized PLHIV meet criteria for AHD, with similar findings reported in South Africa. Patients with AHD face high risks of opportunistic infections, hospitalization, and mortality, and frequently disengage from care after discharge. This study aims to examine inpatient and post-discharge care pathways for individuals with AHD in South Africa, identify gaps in continuity of care between hospitals and primary healthcare (PHC) facilities, and generate evidence to inform strategies that strengthen linkage, retention, and long-term outcomes.

A prospective cohort study with a nested process evaluation will be conducted at Helen Joseph Hospital, a large public tertiary facility in Johannesburg. Adult patients (≥18 years) admitted with HIV-related conditions and meeting AHD criteria will be consecutively enrolled once deemed clinically stable. Data will be collected through structured inpatient interviews, medical-record reviews, and follow-up telephone interviews at four- and eight-weeks post-discharge to assess linkage to PHC services, ART continuation, and readmissions. Quantitative data will be analyzed descriptively using standard statistical methods.

This study will generate a detailed understanding of how patients with AHD transition from inpatient to outpatient HIV care, highlighting critical points where continuity of care fails. Findings will identify system- and patient-level barriers to effective linkage and retention and inform interventions to improve post-discharge outcomes. The study poses minimal risk to participants, involving only structured interviews and review of existing medical records, with no invasive procedures.