@article{a4a16c8da0e144d5b335f0d2d978f1da,
title = "The Treatment Ambassador Program: A Highly Acceptable and Feasible Community-Based Peer Intervention for South Africans Living with HIV Who Delay or Discontinue Antiretroviral Therapy",
abstract = "We conducted a novel pilot randomized controlled trial of the Treatment Ambassador Program (TAP), an 8-session, peer-based, behavioral intervention for people with HIV (PWH) in South Africa not on antiretroviral therapy (ART). PWH (43 intervention, 41 controls) completed baseline, 3- and 6-month assessments. TAP was highly feasible (90% completion), with peer counselors demonstrating good intervention fidelity. Post-intervention interviews showed high acceptability of TAP and counselors, who supported autonomy, assisted with clinical navigation, and provided psychosocial support. Intention-to-treat analyses indicated increased ART initiation by 3 months in the intervention vs. control arm (12.2% [5/41] vs. 2.3% [1/43], Fisher exact p-value = 0.105; Cohen{\textquoteright}s h = 0.41). Among those previously on ART (off for > 6 months), 33.3% initiated ART by 3 months in the intervention vs. 14.3% in the control arm (Cohen{\textquoteright}s h = 0.45). Results suggest that TAP was highly acceptable and feasible among PWH not on ART.",
keywords = "ART initiation, Behavioral intervention, Differentiated service delivery, Engagement in care, Motivational interviewing, Peer-based intervention, South Africa",
author = "Katz, {Ingrid T.} and Bogart, {Laura M.} and Fitzmaurice, {Garrett M.} and Staggs, {Vincent S.} and Gwadz, {Marya V.} and Bassett, {Ingrid V.} and Anna Cross and Ingrid Courtney and Lungiswa Tsolekile and Regina Panda and Sonja Steck and Bangsberg, {David R.} and Catherine Orrell and Kathy Goggin",
note = "Funding Information: We would like to thank the individuals who participated in this study, and the broader study team. The Treatment Ambassador Program (TAP) was supported by: National Institute of Health (NIH); Institute: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH); Type: Planning Grant (R34). Project #: 5R34MH108393-02. Dr. Bogart was additionally support by P30MH058107. Dr. Bassett was supported to this work by a K24AI141036 grant from the NIH. The study can be referenced on Clinicaltrials.gov under the unique identifier NCT03099707. We particularly wish to acknowledge our Program Officer at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Michael Stirratt, Ph.D., Program Chief at the NIMH Division of AIDS Research for scientific guidance throughout the study. Funding Information: We would like to thank the individuals who participated in this study, and the broader study team. The Treatment Ambassador Program (TAP) was supported by: National Institute of Health (NIH); Institute: National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH); Type: Planning Grant (R34). Project #: 5R34MH108393-02. Dr. Bogart was additionally support by P30MH058107. Dr. Bassett was supported to this work by a K24AI141036 grant from the NIH. The study can be referenced on Clinicaltrials.gov under the unique identifier NCT03099707. We particularly wish to acknowledge our Program Officer at the National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH), Michael Stirratt, Ph.D., Program Chief at the NIMH Division of AIDS Research for scientific guidance throughout the study. Publisher Copyright: {\textcopyright} 2020, Springer Science+Business Media, LLC, part of Springer Nature.",
year = "2021",
month = apr,
doi = "10.1007/s10461-020-03063-1",
language = "English (US)",
volume = "25",
pages = "1129--1143",
journal = "AIDS and Behavior",
issn = "1090-7165",
publisher = "Springer New York",
number = "4",
}