ArticlePloS one2021
Evaluation of a community-based HIV test and start program in a conflict affected rural area of Yambio County, South Sudan.
Article in PloS one, 2021. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. An erratum has been issued. Cited by 10 papers, 1 of them a synthesis that pooled it.
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Who cites it
10 citing papers in PubMed, 1 synthesis or guideline pooled it, 17 citations in OpenAlex.
- Civil society and perilous medicine in Africa: a systematic review.BMJ global health · 2025Pooled it
- Colliding Wars: A Systematic Review on HIV Responses in Conflict-Affected Settings.Public health challenges · 2026Review
- Three-Year Outcomes After Programmatic Transitioning to Dolutegravir in the Context of Severe Civil Unrest in Haiti.Open forum infectious diseases · 2025Article
- Advancing Sustainable HIV Services Through Integration in Primary Healthcare in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Perspective on Practical Recommendations.Healthcare (Basel, Switzerland) · 2025Article
- Determinants of non-adherence to antiretroviral therapy among displaced people living with HIV and comparison with host populations: a cross-sectional study in Ituri and North Kivu.The Pan African medical journal · 2025Article
- Continuity of care during severe civil unrest with a model of community-based HIV care: a retrospective cohort study from Haiti.Lancet regional health. Americas · 2024Article
- Sexual and reproductive health implementation research in humanitarian contexts: a scoping review.Reproductive health · 2024Article
- Correction: Evaluation of a community-based HIV test and start program in a conflict affected rural area of Yambio County, South Sudan.PloS one · 2024Article
- Facility-led community based approach in Mamfe health district, Cameroon: a differentiated service delivery option in complex humanitarian settings.BMC health services research · 2023Article
- Mobile clinics in conflict-affected communities of North West and South West regions of Cameroon: an alternative option for differentiated delivery service for internally displaced persons during COVID-19.Conflict and health · 2021Article
Corrections and comments
- Erratum issued
Authors and funding
9 authors at 3 institutions in 3 countries.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundAntiretroviral therapy (ART) coverage in South Sudan is around 10%. Access to HIV care in settings with low ART coverage or conflict affected is still low; innovative strategies are needed to increase access and ensure continuation of ART during instability. A pilot HIV test and start project was implemented in a conflict-affected area of South Sudan. In a retrospective analysis, we determined the feasibility and outcomes of this intervention.
methodsProgramme data from July 2015 to June 2018 was analysed. The project involved five mobile teams offering HIV counselling and testing (HCT) and same day ART initiation at community level. Baseline and follow-up information on clinical, immunological and viral load (VL) was routinely recorded, as well as treatment outcomes. A semi-qualitative study was conducted to assess acceptability of the program among beneficiaries and community members.
resultsBy June 2018, 14824 people received counselling and testing for HIV and 498 (3.4%) tested positive. Out of those 395 (79.3%) started ART. A total of 72 ART patients were organized in 26 Community ART Groups (CAGs) and contingency plan was activated 9 times for 101 patients. Kaplan-Meier estimated retention in care (RIC) at 12 and 18 months was 80.6% [95% CI: 75.9-84.5%] and 69.9% [95% CI: 64.4-74.8%] respectively. RIC was significantly higher at 18 months in patients under community ART groups (CAGs) (90.9% versus 63.4% p<0.001) when compared to patients on regular follow up. VL suppression at 12 months was 90.3% and overall virological suppression reached 91.2%. A total of 279 persons were interviewed about the MSF program perception and acceptance: 98% had heard about the programme and 84% found it beneficial for the community, 98% accepted to be tested and only 4% found disadvantages to the programme.
conclusionsOur study shows that HCT and early ART initiation in conflict affected populations can be provided with good program outcomes. RIC and virological suppression are comparable with facility-based HIV programs and to those in stable contexts. This model could be extrapolated to other similar contexts with low access to ART and where security situation is a concern.
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