A Randomized Control Trial of a Peer Adherence and Nutritional Support Program for Public Sector Antiretroviral Patients

37 Pages Posted: 22 Jul 2016

See all articles by Frederik Booysen

Frederik Booysen

University of the Free State

Damien de Walque

World Bank - Development Research Group (DECRG); World Bank

Mead Over

Center for Global Development

Satoko Hashimoto

World Bank

Chantell de Reuck

World Bank

Date Written: July 21, 2016

Abstract

Access to antiretroviral treatment has expanded rapidly in South Africa, making it the country in the world with the largest treatment program. As antiretroviral treatment coverage continues to rise in resource-constrained settings, effective community-based adherence support interventions are of central importance in ensuring the long-term sustainability of treatment. This paper reports the findings from a randomized control trial of a peer adherence and nutritional support program implemented in a public health care setting in South Africa's antiretroviral treatment program. The analysis assesses the impact of these peer adherence and nutritional support interventions on self-reported adherence, timeliness of clinic and hospital visits, and immunologic response to antiretroviral treatment. Peer adherence and nutritional support improved the timeliness of adults? clinic and hospital visits for routine follow-up while on antiretroviral treatment. Peer adherence support impacted positively on immunologic response to antiretroviral treatment. Scale-up of effective and sustainable community-based, peer-driven adherence and nutritional support interventions should form part of the United Nations AIDS Treatment 2.0 strategy's community mobilization and health system strengthening pillar.

Keywords: HIV AIDS

Suggested Citation

Booysen, Frederik and de Walque, Damien and Over, Mead and Hashimoto, Satoko and de Reuck, Chantell, A Randomized Control Trial of a Peer Adherence and Nutritional Support Program for Public Sector Antiretroviral Patients (July 21, 2016). World Bank Policy Research Working Paper No. 7760, Available at SSRN: https://ssrn.com/abstract=2813014

Frederik Booysen (Contact Author)

University of the Free State ( email )

205 Nelson Mandela Drive
Park West
Bloemfontein, Free State 9300
South Africa

Damien De Walque

World Bank - Development Research Group (DECRG)

1818 H. Street, N.W.
MSN3-311
Washington, DC 20433
United States

World Bank ( email )

1818 H Street, N.W.
Washington, DC 20433
United States

HOME PAGE: http://econ.worldbank.org/staff/ddewalque

Mead Over

Center for Global Development ( email )

2055 L St. NW
5th floor
Washington, DC 20036
United States

Satoko Hashimoto

World Bank

1818 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20433
United States

Chantell De Reuck

World Bank

1818 H Street, NW
Washington, DC 20433
United States

Do you have negative results from your research you’d like to share?

Paper statistics

Downloads
50
Abstract Views
471
PlumX Metrics