Receipt of a combined economic and peer support intervention and clinical outcomes among HIV-positive youth in rural Rwanda: A retrospective cohort

Introduction To combat poor clinical outcomes among HIV-positive youth, Partners In Health/Inshuti Mu Buzima (PIH/IMB) implemented Adolescent Support Groups (ASGs), which combined peer support and group-based economic incentives to promote treatment adherence, economic empowerment, and viral suppres...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:PLOS global public health 2022-01, Vol.2 (6)
Main Authors: Dale A. Barnhart, Josée Uwamariya, Jean Népomuscène Nshimyumuremyi, Gerardine Mukesharurema, Todd Anderson, Jean d’Amour Ndahimana, Vincent K. Cubaka, Bethany Hedt-Gauthier
Format: Article
Language:English
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Introduction To combat poor clinical outcomes among HIV-positive youth, Partners In Health/Inshuti Mu Buzima (PIH/IMB) implemented Adolescent Support Groups (ASGs), which combined peer support and group-based economic incentives to promote treatment adherence, economic empowerment, and viral suppression. This study assesses the association between ASG membership and clinical outcomes among HIV-positive youth living in rural Rwanda. Methods We constructed a retrospective cohort using PIH/IMB’s electronic medical record (EMR) system. ASG members were matched to control youth within strata defined by health facility, year of birth, and whether the patient had enrolled in HIV services as a pediatric patient, as a PMTCT mother, or through another route. Our 12-month outcomes of interest were a) death-free retention in care, b) death-free retention with active follow-up, c) ≥80% adherence to appointment keeping, and d) viral load suppression (
ISSN:2767-3375