ART adherence and viral suppression are high among most non‐pregnant individuals with early‐stage, asymptomatic HIV infection: an observational study from Uganda and South Africa

Introduction The success of universal antiretroviral therapy (ART) access and aspirations for an AIDS‐free generation depend on high adherence in individuals initiating ART during early‐stage HIV infection; however, adherence may be difficult in the absence of illness and associated support. Methods From March 2015 to October 2017, we prospectively observed three groups initiating ART in routine care in Uganda and South Africa: men and non‐pregnant women with early‐stage HIV infection (CD4 > 350 cells/μL), pregnant women with early‐stage HIV infection and men and non‐pregnant women with late‐stage HIV infection (CD4 0.72). In South Africa, median adherence was higher in early/non‐pregnant versus early/pregnant or late/non‐pregnant participants (76%, 37%, 52%; p