The Curaçao cohort studies
| PhD ceremony: | Ms H.S. (Hillegonda) de Groot-Hermanides |
| When: | January 07, 2015 |
| Start: | 12:45 |
| Supervisors: | prof. dr. A.J. Duits, prof. dr. F. de Wolf |
| Where: | Academy building RUG / Student Information & Administration |
| Faculty: | Medical Sciences / UMCG |
This thesis provides a detailed description of the HIV-1 epidemic and treatment ofHIV-1 infected individuals in Curaçao. We conclude that the immunological, virological and clinical responses to cART in Curaçao are sub-optimal due tolate cART initiation and low rates of retention in care. Given the results presented in this thesis, we suggest creating a HIV care model aimed at maximizing the therapeutic and preventive effects of cART by focusing on early identification of HIV-1 infection followed by immediate cART initiation with life-long monitoring. Importantly, these strategies require the integration of HIV care into primary health care provision in Curaçao and tasks shifting from infectious disease medical specialists to general practitioners.
Dissertation: http://irs.ub.rug.nl/ppn/387118004