Estimation of antiretroviral therapy coverage: methodology and trends.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW

To present the methodology used to calculate coverage of antiretroviral therapy (ART) and review global and regional trends in ART coverage.

RECENT FINDINGS

There has been a steady increase in ART coverage over the last decade with a more rapid increase in recent years. Current estimates of ART coverage are 43% for adults and 38% for children (ages 0-14 years). Methods for calculating coverage rely on good-quality patient monitoring systems in countries, and well informed models are needed to estimate the number of people in need of treatment.

SUMMARY

The estimated coverage rates show that ART programs have improved over the past 8 years; however, approximately 58% (53-60%) of those people in need of ART are still not on treatment. High quality data are needed to accurately measure changes in ART coverage.