Enhanced peer-group strategies to support the prevention of mother-to-child HIV transmission leads to increased retention in care in Uganda: A randomized controlled trial.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Despite the scale-up of Option B+, long-term retention of women in HIV care during pregnancy and the postpartum period remains an important challenge. We compared adherence to clinic appointments and antiretroviral therapy (ART) at 6 weeks, 6, and and 24 months postpartum among pregnant women living with HIV and initiating Option B+. Women were randomized to a peer group support, community-based drug distribution and income-generating intervention called "Friends for Life Circles" (FLCs) versus the standard of care (SOC). Our secondary outcome was infant HIV status and HIV-free survival at 6 weeks and 18 months postpartum.

Methods

Between 16 May 2016 and 12 September 2017, 540 ART-naïve pregnant women living with HIV at urban and rural health facilities in Ugand

SUBMITTER: Amone A 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11029615 | biostudies-literature | 2024

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature