Implementation study demonstrates high treatment adherence and viral suppression in rural individuals with HIV, indicating the feasibility of scaling care in resource-limited settings.
Key Points
To evaluate the feasibility and clinical effectiveness of scaling up a comprehensive, community-based HIV treatment program in rural Haiti.
Provided free comprehensive HIV, tuberculosis, and sexually transmitted disease care across four renovated clinical sites serving a regional population of 550,000 in rural Haiti.
Administered highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) using directly observed treatment (DOT) facilitated by a network of local community health workers (accompagnateurs).
Followed over 8,000 patients for HIV and initiated DOT HAART in more than 1,050 individuals within the first year of scale-up.
Achieved undetectable viral loads in 86% of tested patients, with fewer than 5% requiring regimen modifications due to adverse side effects.
Observed weight gain and improved functional capacity across all treated patients alongside high treatment adherence.