Effects of a multicomponent intervention to streamline initiation of antiretroviral therapy in Africa: a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

In Africa, up to 30% of HIV-infected patients who are clinically eligible for antiretroviral therapy (ART) do not start timely treatment. We assessed the effects of an intervention targeting prevalent health systems barriers to ART initiation on timing and completeness of treatment initiation.

Methods

In this stepped-wedge, non-blinded, cluster-randomised controlled trial, 20 clinics in southwestern Uganda were randomly assigned in groups of five clinics every 6 months to the intervention by a computerised random number generator. This procedure continued until all clinics had crossed over from control (standard of care) to the intervention, which consisted of opinion-leader-led training and coaching of front-line health workers, a point-of-care CD4 cell count tes

SUBMITTER: Amanyire G 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5408866 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature