Rapid antiretroviral therapy initiation in the Botswana Combination Prevention Project: a quasi-experimental before and after study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Ensuring that individuals who are living with HIV rapidly initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART) is an essential step in meeting the 90-90-90 targets. We evaluated the feasibility and outcomes of rapid ART initiation in the Botswana Combination Prevention Project (BCPP). We aimed to establish whether simplified ART initiation with the offer of same-day treatment could increase uptake and reduce time from clinic linkage to treatment initiation, while maintaining rates of retention in care and viral suppression.

Methods

We did a quasi-experimental before and after study with use of data from the BCPP. The BCPP was a community-randomised HIV-prevention trial done in 30 communities across Botswana from Oct 1, 2013, to June 30, 2018. Participants in the 15 intervention

SUBMITTER: Lebelonyane R 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10921550 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature