biostudies-literatureUnknown16(2)Kiyaga C<h4>Introduction</h4>A review of Uganda's HIV Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) program in 2010 revealed poor retention outcomes for HIV-exposed infants (HEI) after testing. The review informed development of the 'EID Systems Strengthening' model: a set of integrated initiatives at health facilities to improve testing, retention, and clinical care of HIV-exposed and infected infants. The program model was piloted at several facilities and later scaled countrywide. This mixed-methods study evaluates the program's impact and assesses its implementation.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted a retrospective cohort study at 12 health facilities in Uganda, comprising all HEI tested by DNA PCR from June 2011 to May 2014 (n = 707). Cohort data were collected manually at the health facilities and analyzed. To asPloS onee0246546https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7861549biostudies-literatureUganda's "EID Systems Strengthening" model produces significant gains in testing, linkage, and retention of HIV-exposed and infected infants: An impact evaluation.PMC7861549Grosz JElyanu PNarayan VKisaakye LNKiyaga CMcConnell IJoseph EKekitiinwa AfalseUganda's "EID Systems Strengthening" model produces significant gains in testing, linkage, and retention of HIV-exposed and infected infants: An impact evaluation.<h4>Introduction</h4>A review of Uganda's HIV Early Infant Diagnosis (EID) program in 2010 revealed poor retention outcomes for HIV-exposed infants (HEI) after testing. The review informed development of the 'EID Systems Strengthening' model: a set of integrated initiatives at health facilities to improve testing, retention, and clinical care of HIV-exposed and infected infants. The program model was piloted at several facilities and later scaled countrywide. This mixed-methods study evaluates the program's impact and assesses its implementation.<h4>Methods</h4>We conducted a retrospective cohort study at 12 health facilities in Uganda, comprising all HEI tested by DNA PCR from June 2011 to May 2014 (n = 707). Cohort data were collected manually at the health facilities and analyzed. To as2021-01-01T00:00:00Z20212026-07-16T02:50:50.907Z2026-07-09T10:31:17.778ZS-EPMC78615493353942510.1371/journal.pone.0246546