Considerations for developing a monitoring and evaluation framework for viral load testing

Overview

The WHO consolidated guidelines on the use of antiretroviral drugs for treating and preventing HIV infection recommend viral load as the preferred monitoring approach to detect and confirm the failure of antiretroviral therapy. As countries invest in scaling up of routine viral load testing, measuring the impact of and progress towards achieving the UNAIDS target that 90% of people receiving antiretroviral therapy have suppressed viral loads by 2020 (as part of the 90 –90 –90 targets) is critical.

This publication presents key considerations and examples of tools (provided in the annexes) to assist countries in developing a national viral load monitoring and evaluation plan.