A stepped-wedge randomised trial on the impact of early ART initiation on HIV-patients' economic outcomes in Eswatini.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Since 2015, the World Health Organisation (WHO) recommends immediate initiation of antiretroviral therapy (ART) for all HIV-positive patients. Epidemiological evidence points to important health benefits of immediate ART initiation; however, the policy’s impact on the economic aspects of patients' lives remains unknown.

Methods

We conducted a stepped-wedge cluster-randomised controlled trial in Eswatini to determine the causal impact of immediate ART initiation on patients’ individual- and household-level economic outcomes. Fourteen healthcare facilities were non-randomly matched into pairs and then randomly allocated to transition from the standard of care (ART eligibility at CD4 counts of <350 cells/mm3 until September 2016 and <500 cells/mm3 thereafter) to the

SUBMITTER: Steinert JI 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7529454 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature