Challenges hindering continuity of HIV Care and ART Initiation Among Newly Arriving Refugees from D.R. Congo in Burundi: Lessons from a Pilot Enrollment Assessment
1
Health innovation and research, Health Generation Alliance, Bujumbura, Burundi
2
Community Health, Solidarity of nurses for the promotion of maternal and children's health_SIPROSAMI, Bujumbura, Burundi
Popul. Med. 2026;8(Supplement Supplement 1):
ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION:
Ongoing civil unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has led to a rising number of refugees entering Burundi, including many people living with HIV. Ensuring uninterrupted HIV care and access to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is essential to prevent treatment interruption, drug resistance, and increased morbidity and mortality. This initiative assessed barriers faced by newly arrived refugees in accessing HIV services and proposed strategies to strengthen timely linkage to care within Burundi’s national HIV program.
METHODS:
Between May and June 2025, an assessment was conducted at two refugee reception sites (Rugombo and Cishemere) in Western Burundi and Musenyi refugee camp in Eastern Burundi. The program focused on newly arrived refugees living with HIV, identified through voluntary testing, disclosure during screening, and clinical visits. Activities included medical consultations, patient interviews, and review of referral pathways between entry points and HIV care facilities. Interventions targeted mapping service gaps, building the capacity of frontline health workers, and piloting a fast‑track ART enrolment mechanism.
RESULTS:
Major challenges included missing or lost medical records, delays in confirming HIV status due to absent documentation, and psychosocial issues such as fear, depression, and stigma. Many refugees faced ART interruptions of eight weeks or more, increasing the risk of viral rebound. Mitigation strategies included early involvement of community health worker relays, use of mobile health tools for rapid tracking, and integrating HIV services into initial refugee health screening. The pilot fast‑track model reduced ART initiation delays from 60 days to 15 days.
CONCLUSIONS:
Ensuring continuity of HIV care for refugees requires proactive coordination and streamlined ART initiation protocols. Scaling mobile health tracking and securing resources will help maintain uninterrupted treatment, improve outcomes, and reinforce collaboration between humanitarian partners and the national HIV program.
Ongoing civil unrest in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) has led to a rising number of refugees entering Burundi, including many people living with HIV. Ensuring uninterrupted HIV care and access to Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is essential to prevent treatment interruption, drug resistance, and increased morbidity and mortality. This initiative assessed barriers faced by newly arrived refugees in accessing HIV services and proposed strategies to strengthen timely linkage to care within Burundi’s national HIV program.
METHODS:
Between May and June 2025, an assessment was conducted at two refugee reception sites (Rugombo and Cishemere) in Western Burundi and Musenyi refugee camp in Eastern Burundi. The program focused on newly arrived refugees living with HIV, identified through voluntary testing, disclosure during screening, and clinical visits. Activities included medical consultations, patient interviews, and review of referral pathways between entry points and HIV care facilities. Interventions targeted mapping service gaps, building the capacity of frontline health workers, and piloting a fast‑track ART enrolment mechanism.
RESULTS:
Major challenges included missing or lost medical records, delays in confirming HIV status due to absent documentation, and psychosocial issues such as fear, depression, and stigma. Many refugees faced ART interruptions of eight weeks or more, increasing the risk of viral rebound. Mitigation strategies included early involvement of community health worker relays, use of mobile health tools for rapid tracking, and integrating HIV services into initial refugee health screening. The pilot fast‑track model reduced ART initiation delays from 60 days to 15 days.
CONCLUSIONS:
Ensuring continuity of HIV care for refugees requires proactive coordination and streamlined ART initiation protocols. Scaling mobile health tracking and securing resources will help maintain uninterrupted treatment, improve outcomes, and reinforce collaboration between humanitarian partners and the national HIV program.
| eISSN: | 2654-1459 |
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