Over the past decade, biomedical interventions—including voluntary medical male circumcision (VMMC), antiretroviral treatment, and tuberculosis treatment—have resulted in substantial gains in controlling the global HIV epidemic. More information is required, however, to ensure biomedical interventions are designed or adapted to achieve maximum impact. Project SOAR is generating evidence to help optimize real-world implementation of proven biomedical interventions. SOAR study findings will inform the U. S. Agency for International Development and partner programs in achieving the UNAIDS 90-90-90 targets.
VMMC has been shown to substantially reduce the risk of HIV acquisition. Project SOAR’s extensive VMMC portfolio supports multiple countries with data to make informed policy and programmatic decisions about VMMC that address their specific needs and environments. SOAR is increasing access to and use of this data through user-friendly interfaces and dissemination strategies.
Antiretroviral treatment is a critical biomedical intervention that is assuming a larger role in HIV prevention as countries roll out “test and start” services, including for pregnant and post-partum women. SOAR’s research is examining the facilitators and barriers to delivering care and treatment as well as evaluating a variety of approaches to streamline services, reduce access barriers, and create a supportive environment to enhance client linkage to and retention in treatment services.
Tuberculosis (TB) is a common and deadly opportunistic infection in HIV-positive individuals. Isoniazid preventive therapy (IPT) is an effective treatment for young children infected with TB, often from an HIV and TB co-infected parent. SOAR is investigating how to optimize use of IPT by testing a nurse-led approach that aims to overcome challenges at the patient, provider, program, and policy levels.
Activities
Antiretroviral treatment
- Assessing HIV-related Outcomes, Cost, and Misclassification Rates among Key Populations Accessing Community-based Test and Start Services in Nigeria
- Assessing the Feasibility, Acceptability, and Costs of Diagnosing HIV at Birth in Lesotho and Rwanda
- Assessment of the Implementation of the Treat-all Guidelines (Test and Start) in Namibia
- Effect of a Family-centered Model of HIV Care on Viral Suppression and Care Retention Among HIV-positive Children in Swaziland
- Evaluating a Multidisciplinary Integrated Management Team Intervention to Improve Maternal-Child Outcomes and HIV Service Uptake and Retention in Lesotho
- Evaluating Community-facility Linkage Models to Promote Mother-infant Retention Along the HIV Care Continuum
- Impact of a Community-based, HIV Intervention on Antiretroviral Treatment Retention and Adherence in Tanzania
- Improving Uptake of HIV Testing Services and Linkages to Care after Diagnosis in Kenya
- Optimizing Implementation of Universal HIV Treatment Coverage for People Living with HIV in Senegal
- PrEP Modeling: Country Application in Swaziland and Uganda
- Project YES! Youth Engaging for Success: A peer mentoring program to transition youth to HIV self-management in Zambia
TB/IPT
Voluntary medical male circumcision