Study focus area

OUR STUDIES

BATON ROUGE POSITIVE PATHWAY RESEARCH STUDY – ENGAGING AND RETAINING PERSONS LIVING WITH HIV (PLHIV) IN CARE USING FINANCIAL INCENTIVES

Background

In order to reach the 95-95-95 targets for 2025, additional evidenced-based strategies are needed to re-engage PLHIV currently outside the health care clinic. Financial incentives used to engage and retain PLHIV with the goal of contributing to viral suppression represents a promising approach for exploration in the Baton Rouge, LA area. Compared to the future costs of caring for PLHIV who are not engaged and/or viral suppressed, financial incentives may be cost-effective and valuable in retaining PLHIV in care.

Design

This study consists of a longitudinal cohort of 800 PLHIV who are followed at 6 and 12-months post enrolment. The design includes quantitative (i.e., survey and viral load measures among PLHIV) and qualitative methods (i.e., 15 interviews with stakeholders). received incentives (visa gift card), and follow-up contacts at 6 and 12-months post enrolment. Viral load measures were obtained 12 months prior to enrolment and during the study.

Primary objectives

  • Evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of financial incentives among PLHIV and HIV service providers in Baton Rouge, LA
  • Examine the impact and cost-effectiveness of using financial incentives to support engagement, retention, and ultimately viral suppression among PLHIV in the Baton Rouge MSA

Results

  • Financial incentives were measured on a five point Likert scale. Strongly Agree and Agree were combined as well as Strongly Disagree and Disagree.
  • 70% of providers believe financial incentives can improve overall health of PLHIV
  • 80% of providers believe financial incentives can improve the viral load of PLHIV
  • 90% of providers believe financial incentives can improve HIV care visit attendance of PLHIV

Table 3. Baseline characteristics of participants enrolled in the Baton Rouge Positive Pathway Study, August 2018 – May 2019

Participant characteristics at enrolment
N (%)
Total enrolled 458 (100%)
Category A 270 (59%)
Mean Age 41.6 years
Male 234 (51%)
Black 408 (90%)
High school, GED, or some college 248 (57%)
Employed (full or part-time) 160 (35%)
Annual income <5,000 155 (40%)
Heterosexual or straight 296 (68%)
Has health insurance 400 (90%)
>5 years living with HIV 281 (65%)
Recent incarceration in the last 12 months 56 (12%)
Virally suppressed (<200 copies/mL) 256 (56%)

Collaborators

Louisiana Public Health Institute

Setting

Five diverse clinics

Location

U.S.A.

Duration

Aug 2018 - Feb 2021

Category

Retention in Care and Adherence

Key study materials

ViiV study lead and contact

Tammeka Evans,

Director of Global Public Health and Innovation

Contact

RELATED STUDIES

As part of an effort to re-engage patients into care, this study determined the effectiveness of using an outreach nurse as a direct clinical liaison through the State Bridge Counsellor (SBC) Program.

To aid future research on the effectiveness of the U=U message campaign as a clinical intervention, the aim of this project is to evaluate the effectiveness of a clinic-delivered media campaign of the U=U message.

This study demonstrated how the effective implementation of a clinical care monitoring system increased the number of patients engaged across the care continuum and improved patient outcomes.

Our partnerships

Our partnerships

We are proud to partner with multiple organizations that work to prevent HIV and improve the lives of people who live with HIV.

Find out more

NP-GBL-HVU-WCNT- 210040 | March 2022

Reporting of side effects

If you get any side effects, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse. This includes any possible side effects not listed in the package leaflet. You can also report side effects directly via the GSK Reporting Tool link https://gsk.public.reportum.com/. By reporting side effects, you can help provide more information on the safety of this medicine.

If you are from outside the UK, you can report adverse events to GSK/ ViiV by selecting your region and market, here.