Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Objective
To measure associations between participation in community-based microfinance groups, retention in HIV care, and death among people with HIV (PWH) in low-resource settings.Design and methods
We prospectively analyzed data from 3609 patients enrolled in an HIV care program in western Kenya. HIV patients who were eligible and chose to participate in a Group Integrated Savings for Health Empowerment (GISHE) microfinance group were matched 1 : 2 on age, sex, year of enrollment in HIV care, and location of initial HIV clinic visit to patients not participating in GISHE. Follow-up data were abstracted from medical records from January 2018 through February 2020. Logistic regression analysis examined associations between GISHE participation and two outcomes: retention in HIV care (i.e. >1 HIV care visit attended within 6 months prior to the end of follow-up) and death. Socioeconomic factors associated with HIV outcomes were included in adjusted models.Results
The study population was majority women (78.3%) with a median age of 37.4 years. Microfinance group participants were more likely to be retained in care relative to HIV patients not participating in a microfinance group [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01-1.71; P = 0.046]. Participation in group microfinance was associated with a reduced odds of death during the follow-up period (aOR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.28-1.09; P = 0.105).Conclusion
Participation in group-based microfinance appears to be associated with better HIV treatment outcomes. A randomized trial is needed to assess whether microfinance groups can improve clinical and socioeconomic outcomes among PWH in similar settings.
SUBMITTER: Genberg BL
PROVIDER: S-EPMC8963387 | biostudies-literature | 2021 Oct
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Genberg Becky L BL Wilson-Barthes Marta G MG Omodi Victor V Hogan Joseph W JW Steingrimsson Jon J Wachira Juddy J Pastakia Sonak S Tran Dan N DN Kiragu Zana W ZW Ruhl Laura J LJ Rosenberg Molly M Kimaiyo Sylvester S Galárraga Omar O
AIDS (London, England) 20211001 12
<h4>Objective</h4>To measure associations between participation in community-based microfinance groups, retention in HIV care, and death among people with HIV (PWH) in low-resource settings.<h4>Design and methods</h4>We prospectively analyzed data from 3609 patients enrolled in an HIV care program in western Kenya. HIV patients who were eligible and chose to participate in a Group Integrated Savings for Health Empowerment (GISHE) microfinance group were matched 1 : 2 on age, sex, year of enrollm ...[more]