# Progress towards World Health Organization HIV Infection 95-95-95 measures in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada

## TL;DR

This study examines how well Newfoundland and Labrador is meeting global HIV care targets and finds strong progress in treatment and viral suppression.

## Contribution

The paper provides the first documented assessment of UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals in Newfoundland and Labrador.

## Key findings

- Over 98% of PLWH in NL were on antiretroviral therapy in 2016 and 2019.
- More than 96% of PLWH in NL had suppressed viral loads during the study period.
- NL's HIV care outcomes compare favorably to a national Canadian cohort.

## Abstract

The HIV program in Newfoundland and Labrador (NL) provides care for all persons living with HIV (PLWH) in NL, yet progress toward UNAIDS 95-95-95 goals for diagnosis, linkage to care and viral suppression has not previously been documented. This analysis describes engagement in HIV care and virologic outcomes for the NL cohort in 2016 and 2019 and compares this data to the Canadian HIV Observational Cohort (CANOC). A retrospective review of the NL clinic included adults aged >18 years and descriptive statistics for demographics, risk factors, and clinical variables were assessed and compared using χ2 test or Fisher’s Exact test (categorical) or Wilcoxon Sum Rank test (continuous). Engagement in care and virologic outcomes for the NL cohort were consistently high over the 2016 to 2019 period with > 98% on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and > 96% having a suppressed virus load. Engagement in care and virologic outcomes among PLWH in NL is high and compares favorably to a national cohort.