U. S. Agency for International Development

 

As the number of people on antiretroviral treatment grows, the health systems of high HIV prevalence countries struggle with retaining patients in care and providing quality services. This is becoming particularly challenging as countries roll out “test and start”, resulting in more people being put on treatment as soon as they are diagnosed as HIV-positive. There is growing evidence that community-based HIV care models can both increase patient retention and reduce the burden on facility staff as well as patients. Extending care beyond the traditional clinic approach can include community counseling and support, adherence clubs, delivery of medication refills, and basic clinical evaluations.

 

Project SOAR is contributing to the evidence base by evaluating HIV prevention interventions that use community platforms to change harmful gender norms, reduce gender-based violence, empower adolescent girls and young women, and increase health-seeking behavior. We are also conducting research to assess treatment and care models that utilize community platforms for different groups, including female sex workers, pregnant women, orphans and other vulnerable children, and the general population. Results from SOAR studies will help high HIV burden countries in tapping community resources to meet the growing demand for HIV prevention, treatment, and care services.

 

Activities

Prevention

• Capacity Strengthening for DREAMS-like Countries
• Does Shifting Gender Norms on the Community Level Lead to Increased HIV Services Uptake?
• Evaluation of “One Community” in Malawi
• Evaluation of the PEPFAR/USAID Asibonisane Community Responses Program in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa
• Family Planning among Female Sex Workers Living with HIV in Tanzania
• Reducing HIV Risk among Adolescent Girls and Young Women, and Their Partners Through the DREAMS Partnership in Malawi

 

HIV care and treatment

• Does Shifting Gender Norms on the Community Level Lead to Increased HIV Services Uptake?
• Evaluating Community-facility Linkage Models to Promote Mother-infant Retention along the HIV Care Continuum
• Evaluating a Multidisciplinary Integrated Management Team Intervention to Improve Maternal-Child Outcomes and HIV Service Uptake and Retention in Lesotho
• Evaluation of “One Community” in Malawi
• Impact of a Community-based, HIV Intervention on Antiretroviral Treatment Retention and Adherence in Tanzania
• Optimizing Community Services for an Improved Continuum of HIV Care in South Africa
• Preventing Tuberculosis among Pregnant Women and Child Contacts under Five Years in Matlosana, South Africa
• Strengthening Community-based Services for Children and Families Affected by HIV: An evaluation of the Zambia Family (ZAMFAM) Program