title: Strengthening the HIV cascade to ensure an effective future ART response in sub-Saharan Africa.
abstract: Timely linkage to antiretroviral therapy (ART) care is critical for reducing HIV-related morbidity, mortality and transmission. Studies investigating interventions to improve linkage to, and retention in, pre-ART care in sub-Saharan Africa were reviewed. Certain interventions used to overcome economic barriers for ART-patients (i.e. integration of services, medical and food incentives, intensified counselling and peer support) have also shown favourable results in the pre-ART period. A combined package of interventions found to be effective in the pre-ART and ART period might be effective for reducing attrition in both periods. Further operational research in this area is needed to identify local solutions.
authors.affiliation: Health Economics and Epidemiology Research Office, Department of Internal Medicine, School of Clinical Medicine, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa.
authors.forename: Darshini
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Govindasamy
authors.forename: Katharina
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kranzer
authors.forename: Nathan
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Ford
mesh_terms: D017954:Africa South of the Sahara; D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003695:Delivery of Health Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006297:Health Services Accessibility / Q000592:standards; D006801:Humans; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care
chemical_list: D044966:Anti-Retroviral Agents
keywords: ART; Attrition; HIV; Loss to follow-up; Pre-ART; Retention