Scaling up community ART groups in Mozambique.
Loading...
Date
2013-07
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Abstract
Aims: To describe the stepwise implementation and roll out of Community ART Groups
(CAG) in Mozambique.
Study Design: Descriptive study
Place and Duration of Study: Mozambique, between February 2008 and December
2011.
Methodology: Description of the stepwise implementation of a model for Anti-Retroviral
Therapy (ART) delivery based on the principles of peer support and self-management.
The program data on CAG were obtained through a chart review and routine datacollection.
Results: To overcome patient reported barriers to monthly drug refills for ART the Tete
Provincial Directorate of Health and Médecins Sans Frontières developed a communitybased
ART model or patient-centered model, through peer support groups named CAG.
The first CAG commenced in 2008, in rural health facility catchment areas, where
members of CAG shared transport costs to overcome distances to the ART clinics. In
2009, lessons learnt were exported in Tete province and CAG model was launched in
semi-urban contexts to decrease time spent in the clinics. In 2011, retention rates as high
as 97,5 % convinced a joint task force that included Ministry of Health and major partners to pilot the CAG strategy on a national scale.
Conclusion: To respond to staggering attrition rates Ministry of Health in Mozambique
and partners piloted an innovative patient-centered model for HIV care and exported good
practices from local to provincial and national level. Success of scale up will depend on
the collaboration and interaction between policymakers, donors, health-managers,
caregivers, communities, and patients.
Description
Keywords
HIV, antiretroviral therapy, highly active, task shifting, health services accessibility, patient participation, peer group
Citation
Decroo T, Lara J, Rasschaert F, Bermudez-Aza E H, Couto A, Candrinho B, Biot M, Maїkéré J, Jobarteh K. Scaling up community ART groups in Mozambique. International STD Research & Reviews. 2013 Jul-Dec; 1(2): 49-59.