Peer-Delivered Linkage Case Management and Same-Day ART Initiation for Men and Young Persons with HIV Infection - Eswatini, 2015-2017.

Peer-Delivered Linkage Case Management and Same-Day ART Initiation for Men and Young Persons with HIV Infection - Eswatini, 2015-2017. MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep. 2018 Jun 15;67(23):663-667 Authors: MacKellar D, Williams D, Bhembe B, Dlamini M, Byrd J, Dube L, Mazibuko S, Ao T, Pathmanathan I, Auld AF, Faura P, Lukhele N, Ryan C Abstract To achieve epidemic control of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, sub-Saharan African countries are striving to diagnose 90% of HIV infections, initiate and retain 90% of HIV-diagnosed persons on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and achieve viral load suppression* for 90% of ART recipients (90-90-90) (1). In Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), the country with the world's highest estimated HIV prevalence (27.2%), achieving 90-90-90 depends upon improving access to early ART for men and young adults with HIV infection, two groups with low ART coverage (1-3). Although community-based strategies test many men and young adults with HIV infection in Eswatini, fewer than one third of all persons who test positive in community settings enroll in HIV care within 6 months of diagnosis after receiving standard referral services (4,5). To evaluate the effectiveness of peer-delivered linkage case management† in improving early ART initiation for persons with HIV infection diagnosed in community settings in Eswatini, CDC analyzed data on 651 participants in CommLink, a community-based, mobile HIV-testing, poi...
Source: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkl... - Category: Epidemiology Authors: Tags: MMWR Morb Mortal Wkly Rep Source Type: research