The Link4Health cluster randomized trial in Swaziland

Dr. Margaret McNairy of Weill Cornell's Center for Global Health recently published the findings from the Link4Health cluster randomized trial in Swaziland, in PlOS Medicine's HIV edition for November 2017. 

The Link4Health cluster-randomized trial evaluated the effectiveness of a combination intervention strategy versus the standard of care on the primary outcome of linkage to care within 1 month plus retention in care at 12 months after HIV-positive testing. 

The combination intervention strategy included 5 evidence-based intervention:

1. point of care CD4+ testing at the time of an HIV positive test,

2. accelerated antiretroviral therapy (ART) initiation for treatment-eligible participants,

3. mobile phone appointment reminders,

4. health educational packages,

5. and noncash financial incentives. 

This combination strategy of 5 evidence-based interventions was associated with significant increase in linkage to care plus 12-month retention, offering promising outcomes for HIV-positive patients. 

Read the full paper at PLOS Medicine.