Community health worker-led ART delivery improved scheduled antiretroviral drug refill among men who have sex with men in Lagos State, Nigeria

Int Health. 2021 Feb 24;13(2):196-198. doi: 10.1093/inthealth/ihaa021.

Abstract

Background: Stigma affects access and treatment outcomes in men who have sex with men. We assessed the effect of novel community health worker-led antiretroviral therapy delivery (CLAD).

Methods: A retrospective cohort study of routinely collected data was conducted. We used the t-test to compare the mean adherence to scheduled drug refill appointments before and after implementing CLAD.

Results: The mean adherence to drug refill was 1.4 (±0.7 SD) of monthly scheduled refills before CLAD and 4.7 (±1.2 SD) of monthly refills in CLAD (P < 0.001).

Conclusion: The CLAD model was more effective for drug refill appointments than a regular HIV clinic.

Keywords: HIV; antiretroviral therapy; community health worker; men who have sex with men.

MeSH terms

  • Anti-HIV Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Community Health Workers
  • HIV Infections* / drug therapy
  • Homosexuality, Male
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Medication Adherence
  • Nigeria
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations*
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Sexual and Gender Minorities*

Substances

  • Anti-HIV Agents
  • Pharmaceutical Preparations