Gender differences in retention and survival on antiretroviral therapy of HIV-1 infected adults in Malawi

Background There is currently a dearth of knowledge on gender differences in mortality among patients on ART in Africa.
Methods Using data from the national ART monitoring and evaluation system, a survival analysis of all healthcare workers, teachers, and police/army personnel who accessed ART in Malawi by June, September and December 2006 respectively, was undertaken. Gender differences in survival were analysed using Kaplan-Meier estimates and rate ratios were derived from Poisson regression adjusting for confounding.
Results 4670 ART patients (49.8% female) were followed up for a median of 8.7 months after starting ART. Probability of death was significantly higher for men than women (p<0.001). Controlling for age, WHO clinical stage and occupation, men experienced nearly 2 times the mortality of women RR 1.90 [95% CI: 1.57- 2.29]. A higher proportion of men initiated ART in WHO stage 4 (p<0.001).
Conclusion Among healthcare workers, teachers, police/army personnel, men have higher mortality on ART than women. Possible reasons are unclear but could be biological or because men present for ART at a later clinical stage or have poorer adherence to therapy. Improving early access to ART may reduce mortality, especially among men. A gender difference in adherence to therapy needs further investigation.