Evaluation of a community-based HIV test and start program in a conflict affected rural area of Yambio County, South Sudan.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Antiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage in South Sudan is around 10%. Access to HIV care in settings with low ART coverage or conflict affected is still low; innovative strategies are needed to increase access and ensure continuation of ART during instability. A pilot HIV test and start project was implemented in a conflict-affected area of South Sudan. In a retrospective analysis, we determined the feasibility and outcomes of this intervention.

Methods

Programme data from July 2015 to June 2018 was analysed. The project involved five mobile teams offering HIV counselling and testing (HCT) and same day ART initiation at community level. Baseline and follow-up information on clinical, immunological and viral load (VL) was routinely recorded, as well as treatment outc

SUBMITTER: Ferreyra C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC8274874 | biostudies-literature | 2021

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature