title: "We are part of a family". Benefits and limitations of community ART groups (CAGs) in Thyolo, Malawi: a qualitative study.
abstract: In 2012 Community ART Groups (CAGs), a community-based model of antiretroviral therapy (ART) delivery were piloted in Thyolo District, Malawi as a way to overcome patient barriers to accessing treatment, and to decrease healthcare workers' workload. CAGs are self-formed groups of patients on ART taking turns to collect ART refills for all group members from the health facility. We conducted a qualitative study to assess the benefits and challenges of CAGs from patients' and healthcare workers' (HCWs) perspectives.
  
  
  
  Data were collected by means of 15 focus group discussions, 15 individual in-depth interviews, and participant observation in 2 health centres. The 94 study participants included CAG members, ART patients eligible for CAGs who remained in conventional care, former CAG members who returned to conventional care and HCWs responsible for providing HIV care. Patient participants were purposively selected from ART registers, taking into account age and gender. Narratives were audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated from Chichewa to English. Data were analyzed through a thematic analysis.
  
  
  
  Patients and HCWs spoke favourably about the practical benefits of CAGs. Patient benefits included a reduced frequency of clinic visits, resulting in reduced transportation costs and time savings. HCW benefits included a reduced workload. Additionally peer support was perceived as an added value of the groups allowing not only sharing of the logistical constraints of drugs refills, but also enhanced emotional support. Identified barriers to joining a CAG included a lack of information on CAGs, unwillingness to disclose one's HIV status, change of residence and conflicts among CAG members. Participants reported that HIV-related stigma persists and CAGs were seen as an effective strategy to reduce exposure to discriminatory labelling by community members.
  
  
  
  In this setting, patients and HCWs perceived CAGs to be an acceptable model of ART delivery. Despite addressing important practical barriers to accessing ART, and providing peer support, CAGs were not well known by patients and had a limited impact on reducing HIV-related stigma. The CAG model of ART delivery should be considered in similar settings. Further measures need to be devised and implemented to address HIV-related stigma.
authors.affiliation: HIV project, Médecins Sans Frontières, Thyolo, Malawi.
authors.forename: Umberto
authors.initials: U
authors.lastname: Pellecchia
authors.affiliation: Médecins Sans Frontières, Southern Africa Medical Unit, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Saar
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Baert
authors.affiliation: HIV project, Médecins Sans Frontières, Thyolo, Malawi.
authors.forename: Spencer
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Nundwe
authors.affiliation: HIV project, Médecins Sans Frontières, Thyolo, Malawi.
authors.forename: Andy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bwanali
authors.affiliation: HIV project, Médecins Sans Frontières, Thyolo, Malawi.
authors.forename: Bote
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Zamadenga
authors.affiliation: Médecins Sans Frontières, Southern Africa Medical Unit, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Carol A
authors.initials: CA
authors.lastname: Metcalf
authors.affiliation: Médecins Sans Frontières, Southern Africa Medical Unit, Cape Town, South Africa.
authors.forename: Helen
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Bygrave
authors.affiliation: HIV project, Médecins Sans Frontières, Thyolo, Malawi.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Daho
authors.affiliation: Country office, Médecins Sans Frontières, Blantyre, Malawi.
authors.forename: Liesbet
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Ohler
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health, District Health Office, Thyolo, Malawi.
authors.forename: Brown
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Chibwandira
authors.affiliation: Ministry of Health, District Health Office, Thyolo, Malawi.
authors.forename: Kennedy
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kanyimbo
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D019380:Anti-HIV Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D003153:Community Health Services; D003376:Counseling; D003695:Delivery of Health Care; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006282:Health Personnel; D006801:Humans; D008295:Malawi; D008297:Male; D036301:Qualitative Research; D057545:Social Stigma
chemical_list: D019380:Anti-HIV Agents
keywords: ART delivery; HIV; Malawi; differentiated care; service delivery; task-shifting