What is the viral non-suppression rate for people with HIV in Uganda on dolutegravir?
Viral non-suppression means the amount of HIV in the blood stays high despite taking antiretroviral therapy (ART). For people on dolutegravir-based ART in Uganda, the rate of viral non-suppression is around 6.4%, according to a large study from The AIDS Support Organization (TASO) cohort covering 2014–2024 2. This number comes from routine care, not a clinical trial, so it reflects real-world conditions.
What the research says
A 2024 analysis of the TASO routine-care cohort in Uganda, which included 54,348 people living with HIV, found that among those with a recorded viral load, 6.4% (2,145 out of 33,384) had viral non-suppression, defined as a viral load of 1,000 copies/mL or higher 2. This study noted that integrase inhibitor (dolutegravir) use was near universal in this group, so the 6.4% rate largely reflects outcomes on dolutegravir-based ART 2.
A separate meta-analysis from the same research group, covering studies from 2016–2023 across East Africa, estimated a higher viral non-suppression rate of 19.4%, but that included various ART regimens and settings 2. The lower rate in the TASO cohort likely reflects the effectiveness of dolutegravir and the routine care context.
Other studies in Uganda provide context. One study from 2016–2020 found that 8.2% of people on ART had low-level viremia (50–999 copies/mL), and those with low-level viremia were 4.1 times more likely to develop viral non-suppression later 9. Among children in Uganda, a 2021 study reported a non-suppression rate of 23%, though that study was not limited to dolutegravir 10.
What to ask your doctor
- What is my most recent viral load result, and what does it mean?
- If my viral load is detectable but below 1,000 copies/mL, what steps should I take to prevent it from rising?
- Are there any additional support services, like adherence counseling or food assistance, that could help me stay suppressed?
- How often should I have my viral load checked to make sure my treatment is working?
This question is drawn from common patient questions about Infectious Disease and answered using cited medical research. We do not provide individualized advice.