An Enhanced Adherence Support Programme for Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART)

In southern Africa, TB is the most common first AIDS-defining condition. Initiating Antiretroviral therapy (ART) in HIV positive TB patients will lead to the inclusion of the majority of HIV/AIDS patients currently fulfilling the criteria for therapy. Establishing an effective intervention to increase treatment adherence in this group is essential for the successful roll out of ART in the region. This proposed randomized controlled study aims to compare the effectiveness of two adherence support programmes (ASP) for use in patients with HIV-related TB in the context of CAPRISA AIDS Treatment (CAT)programme in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa; the enhanced adherence support programme (E-ASP) or the standard adherence support programme (S-ASP). S-ASP consists of three counselor presented, group education sessions. E-ASP is an extension of S-ASP and is based on the Information-Motivation-Behavioral Skills (IMB) Model of Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy, a theoretical model initially developed to reduce HIV risk behavior. The E-ASP will consist of several interconnected components: 1) development and maintenance of an educational and supportive milieu at the CDC Clinic, 2) provision of five structured educational, support and behavioral skills building sessions, and (3) three weekly ART planning sessions.