The Buddy Project
Background
Research on the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic has been concentrated to China, Europe, and the US. In low resource settings across sub-Saharan Africa where the epidemic is newly emerging, the potential impact of SARS-CoV-2 may be far more severe. This project will examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a novel remote service delivery model implemented among young people living with HIV (YPLHIV) who have initiated ART across three clinics in Cape Town, South Africa. The impact of lock-down orders on HIV care and multi-level factors that may affect HIV treatment engagement and foster infection with SARS-CoV-2 will also be assessed. Lastly, COVID-19 incidence among YPLHIV and the impact of COVID-19 and prevention guidelines on access to care, health, and well-being will be documented.
Design
A pilot individual randomized control trial will be conducted among 360 YPLHIV across three clinics in Cape Town’s Klipfontein health district. This trial will examine the feasibility, acceptability and preliminary efficacy of a remote service delivery model to facilitate engagement in HIV care during the COVID-19 pandemic. All individuals will have the option to select to receive courier versus facility-based HIV treatment and/or other sexual and reproductive health services at enrolment and during follow-up. At enrolment, participants will be randomized to receive or not receive additional SMS support. The SMS intervention includes SMS check-ins from study staff and access to two-way messaging capabilities to obtain continuous support for adherence to ART and COVID-19 prevention guidelines. Data will be collected via monthly telephone interviews.
Primary Objectives
- Examine the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of a remote service delivery model for YPLWH that will include a monthly service needs assessment and optional delivery of HIV treatment and sexual and reproductive health services.
- Determine the impact of lock-down orders on HIV care and identify multi-level factors that affect both engagement in HIV care and compliance with COVID-19 prevention guidelines.
Collaborators
Linda-Gail Bekker Desmond Tutu Health Foundation
Settings
Three HIV clinics in Cape Town Location South Africa
Duration
Oct 2020 – June 2022
Category
Adherence and Retention in Care
RELATED STUDIES
ZIMBABWE
In this study, a retrospective analysis of existing data sources will be completed, allowing for a comprehensive description and evaluation of the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic on national prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services and on specialised neonatal care at the local level.
USA
As part of an effort to re-engage patients into care, this study determined the effectiveness of using an outreach nurse as a direct clinical liaison through the State Bridge Counsellor (SBC) Program
ARGENTINA
As a part of this project, video-consultation through telemedicine (VCT) is utilized to help to buffer the negative impact of COVID-19 on the HIV treatment cascade in Argentina.
Study focus areas
Our implementation research projects have a global reach and focus on improving the HIV prevention and care continuum.
NP-GBL-HVX-WCNT-220049 October 2023
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