METHODS: Newly diagnosed HIV cases (n = 493) registered under the Malaysia HIV/AIDS-related national databases from June 2018 to December 2019 were studied. The deterministic matching method was applied to link the records in two national databases (at Kuala Lumpur and Putrajaya Federal Territories Health Department, JKWPKLP HIV line-listing database and National AIDS Registry). Successful HIV treatment, an outcome variable, was measured by the undetectable viral load < 200 copies/mL after 1 year of antiretroviral therapy initiation. Logistic regression analysis was applied in the current study.

RESULTS: Results showed that 454/493 (92.2%; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 89.8%, 94.6%) PLHIV had successful HIV treatment. Study participants had a mean (SD) age of 30 (8.10) years old, predominantly male (96.1%) and sexually transmission (99.9%). The multiple logistic regression analysis revealed two significant determinants including the timing of ART initiation (AOR = 3.94; 95% CI: 1.32, 11.70; P = 0.014) and establishment of Sexually Transmitted Infection Friendly Clinic (STIFC) (AOR = 3.40; 95% CI: 1.47, 7.85; P = 0.004). Non-significant variables included gender, education level, HIV risk exposure, and co-infections of tuberculosis and Hepatitis C.