CIDRZ’s participation at the ongoing Zambia Health Research Conference (ZHRC) has been marked by several presentation’s highlighting its commitment to advancing healthcare through research and innovation.

One of CIDRZ’s presentations at ZHRC by Marksman Foloko, an Implementation Officer, sought to investigate the low recruitment of clients who were more than 30 days late for antiretroviral therapy (ART) appointments.
This operational research-based study titled “Client Retention and Clinic Follow-up—A Retrospective Review of Client’s Files at Two HIV Public Clinics in Lusaka Province,” reviewed the Community Tracking Registers (CTRs) and follow-up tracing activities to uncover why many clients were not retained despite outreach efforts.

By better understanding why clients delay or stop attending clinic appointments, Foloko and his team aim to develop strategies to improve retention rates, ultimately enhancing treatment outcomes for people living with HIV.

The study found that disengagement from care was common among people living with HIV. However, retention rates were significantly higher among patients who were delayed in care by 30 days or less than those who were late by more than 30 days.
“The study underscores the importance of robust follow-up systems and community engagement to ensure clients remain connected to care,” said Foloko during his presentation.

The findings of this study are expected to contribute significantly to public health research in Zambia, particularly in the fight against HIV.

Through this work, CIDRZ continues to play a vital role in shaping effective health interventions and improving patient care systems in the country.