The START Study to evaluate the effectiveness of a combination intervention package to enhance antiretroviral therapy uptake and retention during TB treatment among TB/HIV patients in Lesotho: rationale and design of a mixed-methods, cluster-randomized trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Initiating antiretroviral therapy (ART) early during tuberculosis (TB) treatment increases survival; however, implementation is suboptimal. Implementation science studies are needed to identify interventions to address this evidence-to-program gap.

Objective

The Start TB Patients on ART and Retain on Treatment (START) Study is a mixed-methods, cluster-randomized trial aimed at evaluating the effectiveness, cost-effectiveness, and acceptability of a combination intervention package (CIP) to improve early ART initiation, retention, and TB treatment success among TB/HIV patients in Berea District, Lesotho.

Design

Twelve health facilities were randomized to receive the CIP or standard of care after stratification by facility type (hospital or health center). Th

SUBMITTER: Howard AA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC4926099 | biostudies-literature | 2016

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature