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Submitted
November 15, 2025
Accepted
December 28, 2025
Published
December 29, 2025
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Abstract

Background: HIV-related retention is a significant issue that impedes the best treatment outcomes for clients with suspected treatment failure (STF). This study examined how the retention of HIV/AIDS clients in STF is promoted in Kakamega County, Kenya.


Methods: This study employed a quasi-experimental design that combined qualitative and quantitative research. Four sub-counties were used to recruit 513 participants (270 in the treatment and 243 in the control groups) on treatment failure rate.


Results: The main indices of treatment success were viral load suppression, increased CD4 lymphocyte counts, clinic attendance, and decreased missed pills and opportunistic infections. Monetary and social rewards were also very effective in increasing retention in care and clinical outcomes in the short run.


Conclusion: Evidence indicates that medical care with context-specific incentives and digital technologies can help to boost HIV patients at risk of treatment failure to a large extent.

Keywords

HIV/AIDS retention suspected treatment failure viral load CD4 count patient adherence

Article Details

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Copyright (c) 2025 Tecla Jerotich Sum, Guy Dewing, Gladys Mengich, Collins Otieno Odoyo, Daniel Kenny, Benard Wesonga, Charles Mutai, John Thuo, Mike Ekisa , Sarah Morgan, Milka Jerop

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This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-ShareAlike 4.0 International License.

Author Biographies

Tecla Jerotich Sum, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya

Dr. Tecla Jerotich Sum is the director of the Directorate of Science Park Innovation and Incubation Center (SPIIS) and Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology. She is a healthcare professional specializing in trauma medicine and paramedical sciences. She holds advanced training in emergency medical care and has extensive hands-on experience in pre-hospital and clinical trauma management. Her professional practice focuses on emergency response, critical care support, and patient stabilization in high-risk and disaster-prone environments. Tecla’s research interests include trauma systems strengthening, emergency medical services, injury prevention, and capacity building for frontline paramedical practitioners.

Guy Dewing, Immunify.Life

Mr. Guy Dewing is the Chief Executive Officer of Immunify.Life, a global digital health organization focused on improving immunization and primary healthcare systems in low- and middle-income countries. He has extensive experience in health technology innovation, digital health strategy, and program leadership, with a strong background in deploying scalable data-driven solutions for public health. His research and professional interests include digital health systems, health informatics, immunization data quality, and the use of technology to strengthen health service delivery and decision-making.

Gladys Mengich, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya

Prof. Gladys Jepkorir Mengich is affiliated with Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST). She holds a Doctorate degree in Medical Education and has extensive experience in health sciences training and clinical practice. Her scholarly interests focus on medical and health professions education, physiotherapy practice, curriculum development, clinical teaching and learning, and the integration of evidence-based approaches in healthcare education and training.

Collins Otieno Odoyo, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya

Dr. Collins Otieno Odoyo is an Associate Dean in the School of Computing and Informatics at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST). He is a Senior Lecturer with a PhD in Information Systems and extensive experience in teaching, research, and academic leadership. His scholarly interests span Business Information Systems, Monitoring and Evaluation, ICT for Development (ICT4D), data-driven decision-making, and community-focused innovation. Dr. Odoyo is actively involved in interdisciplinary research and the promotion of technology-driven solutions for sustainable development.

Daniel Kenny, Immunify.Life

Mr. Daniel Kenny is the Chief Operating Officer at Immunify.Life, where he oversees strategic operations, partnerships, and the implementation of digital health innovations aimed at strengthening healthcare delivery in low- and middle-income settings. He brings extensive experience in health systems strengthening, program management, and technology-enabled public health interventions. His professional interests focus on digital health solutions, immunization systems, data-driven decision-making, and scalable innovations that improve access, efficiency, and equity in global health programs.

Benard Wesonga, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya

Dr. Benard Wesonga currently serves as the CECM for Health Services at the County Government of Kakamega and is affiliated with the School of Medicine at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST). He holds extensive experience in Nutrition and Dietetics, Public Health, and Primary Care. His research focuses on community health interventions, patient-centered care, and health promotion.

Charles Mutai, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya

Prof. Charles Mutai is Professor of Pharmacology and pharmacognosy at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST), Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences. His research has focused on sources of variability in drug response, which has emphasized modeling pharmacokinetics and pharmacodynamics relationships. His recent drug development efforts are directed towards coming up with new efficient drugs for TB and other chronic infectious diseases. 

John Thuo, Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology, Kenya

Prof. John Kuria Thuo is the Deputy Vice Chancellor in charge of Administration and Finance at Masinde Muliro University of Science and Technology (MMUST). He holds a B.Com, MBA, and PhD from the University of Nairobi’s School of Business. With 26 years of experience spanning corporate banking, consultancy, university teaching, research, and senior management, Prof. Thuo combines academic expertise with professional practice. He is a CPA (K), CPS (K), and Chartered Marketer (CIM, UK), with research interests in business management, corporate governance, strategic planning, and financial management.

Mike Ekisa , Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital, Kenya

Dr. Mike Ekisa is a General Practitioner at Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital (MTRH), Eldoret. He holds extensive experience in clinical care, patient management, and community health services. His professional interests include preventive medicine, primary healthcare delivery, and improving patient outcomes through evidence-based practice. Dr. Ekisa is actively engaged in research focusing on public health interventions, healthcare accessibility, and strategies to enhance the quality of care in general practice.

Sarah Morgan, Immunify.Life

Sarah Morgan is the Head of Growth at Immunify.Life, where she leads strategy, partnerships, and data-driven initiatives to expand access to immunization and primary healthcare solutions in low- and middle-income settings. She holds relevant professional training in health innovation and growth strategy and has extensive experience working at the intersection of digital health, public health systems, and social impact. Her research and professional interests include digital health adoption, health systems strengthening, immunization equity, and the use of technology to improve population health outcomes.

How to Cite
Sum, T., Dewing, G., Mengich, G. J., Odoyo, C. O., Kenny, D., Wesonga, B., … Jerop, M. (2025). Factors Promoting Retention of HIV/AIDS Clients with Suspected Treatment Failure at Kakamega County. Pan-African Journal of Health and Environmental Science, 4(2), 186–202. https://doi.org/10.56893/ajhes2025v04i02.12
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