Effectiveness of a peer educator-coordinated preference-based differentiated service delivery model on viral suppression among young people living with HIV in Lesotho: The PEBRA cluster-randomized trial.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Southern and Eastern Africa is home to more than 2.1 million young people aged 15 to 24 years living with HIV. As compared with other age groups, this population group has poorer outcomes along the HIV care cascade. Young people living with HIV and the research team co-created the PEBRA (Peer Educator-Based Refill of ART) care model. In PEBRA, a peer educator (PE) delivered services as per regularly assessed patient preferences for medication pick-up, short message service (SMS) notifications, and psychosocial support. The cluster-randomized trial compared PEBRA model versus standard clinic care (no PE and ART refill done by nurses) in 3 districts in Lesotho.

Methods and findings

Individuals taking antiretroviral therapy (ART) aged 15 to 24 years at 20 clinics (cl

SUBMITTER: Kopo M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9810159 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature