Inadequate monitoring in advanced stages of disease with lack of supportive counseling increases attrition among patients on antiretroviral treatment at a large urban clinic in Uganda.

Background: The purpose of this case-control study was to identify risk factors for loss to follow-up (LTFU).

Methods: Cases and controls were selected from HIV-positive patients, aged 18 years and older, on antiretroviral therapy (ART) at the Infectious Diseases Clinic (IDC) in January 2008. As cases, we selected 209 patients who in 2008 did not return to the clinic within 90 days of their scheduled appointment date.