Compared to those with a CD4 count < 200 cells/mm3 at diagnosis, participants with a CD4 count ≥ 350 cells/mm3 at diagnosis were more likely to have sub-optimal attendance (OR = 1.74, 95% CI: 0.92–3.28, p = .09) and those with clinic-reported drug and / or alcohol dependency in the past year were also more likely to have sub-optimal attendance (OR = 2.78, 95% CI: 0.84–9.22, p = .09). The gene discussed is CD4; the disease is alcohol dependence.