HIV and aging among adults aged 50 years and older on antiretroviral therapy in Eswatini

Abstract

Background: Antiretroviral therapy (ART) has decreased HIV-related morbidity and mortality and increased life expectancy of people living with HIV (PLHIV). Globally, the number of older PLHIV (OPLHIV; ≥50 years) is growing and predicted to increase substantially in coming years. In sub-Saharan Africa, where the majority of OPLHIV reside, there are limited data on the health and well-being of OPLHIV.
Methods: We conducted an exploratory descriptive study that included structured interviews with 50 OPLHIV receiving ART at an outpatient HIV clinic in Eswatini and in-depth qualitative interviews (IDIs) with a sub-set of ten participants to elicit their experiences of living with HIV as an older adult, including quality of life, physical health, and mental health. Quantitative analyses were performed to obtain both descriptive statistics and cross-tabulations. A thematic analysis of IDI narratives was conducted based on three levels of the socio-ecological model to identify sub-themes and response patterns.
Results: All study participants were virally suppressed. Self-reported non-communicable disease (NCD) risk factors and markers were common, with 40% (n = 20) reporting being current or former smokers, 0% consuming the recommended servings of fruits and  vegetables per day, and 57% (n = 28 of 49 reporting screening) reporting having hypertension. However, the majority (88%; 44 of 50) had sufficient physical activity; most of the activity was in the work domain. Slightly more than one-third (38%; 13 of 34 tested) had a high random blood sugar level. Barriers to living with HIV were primarily structural (food insecurity, unemployment, access to transportation and health care).
Conclusions: OPLHIV should be screened for NCDs, and services for NCDs should ideally be integrated with HIV services. While all participants had controlled HIV, this study highlights the need for strategies that facilitate OPLHIV’s HIV service utilisation. With the increasing numbers of OPLHIV, these issues cannot be ignored.

Keywords: Africa; barriers to medical care; mixed-methods research; non-communicable diseases