Overcoming Barriers to HIV Care: Findings from a Peer-Delivered, Community-Based, Linkage Case Management Program (CommLink), Eswatini, 2015-2018.

Duncan MacKellar, Daniel Williams, Makhosazana Dlamini, Johnita Byrd, Lenhle Dube, Phumzile Mndzebele, Sikhathele Mazibuko, Ishani Pathmanathan, Endale Tilahun, Caroline Ryan

AIDS and behavior 2021 May

filter terms:

To help persons living with HIV (PLHIV) in Eswatini initiate antiretroviral therapy (ART), the CommLink case-management program provided a comprehensive package of linkage services delivered by HIV-positive, peer counselors. Of 1250 PLHIV participants aged ≥ 15 years diagnosed in community settings, 75% reported one or more barriers to care (e.g., fearing stigmatization). Peer counselors helped resolve 1405 (65%) of 2166 identified barriers. During Test and Treat (October 2016-September 2018), the percentage of participants who initiated ART and returned for ≥ 1 antiretroviral refills was 92% overall (759/824); 99% (155/156) among participants without any identified barriers; 96% (544/564) among participants whose counselors helped resolve all or all but one barrier; and 58% (59/102) among participants who had ≥ 2 unresolved barriers to care. The success of CommLink is attributed, at least in part, to peer counselors who helped their clients avoid or at least temporarily resolve many well-known barriers to HIV care.

Citation

Duncan MacKellar, Daniel Williams, Makhosazana Dlamini, Johnita Byrd, Lenhle Dube, Phumzile Mndzebele, Sikhathele Mazibuko, Ishani Pathmanathan, Endale Tilahun, Caroline Ryan. Overcoming Barriers to HIV Care: Findings from a Peer-Delivered, Community-Based, Linkage Case Management Program (CommLink), Eswatini, 2015-2018. AIDS and behavior. 2021 May;25(5):1518-1531