Two-year virologic outcomes of an alternative AIDS care model: evaluation of a peer health worker and nurse-staffed community-based program in Uganda.

BACKGROUND: There is growing concern about the human resources needed to care for increasing numbers of patients receiving antiretroviral therapy in resource-limited settings. We evaluated an alternative model, community-based, comprehensive antiretroviral program staffed primarily by peer health workers and nurses.

METHODS: We conducted a retrospective cohort study of patients receiving antiretroviral therapy during the first 10 months of program enrollment beginning in late 2003. Virologic, immunologic, clinical, and adherence data were collected.

RESULTS: Of 360 patients started on treatment, 258 (72%) were active and on therapy approximately 2 years later. Viral load testing demonstrated that 86% of active patients (211/246 tested) had a viral load <400 copies per milliliter. The median CD4 increase for active patients was 197 cells per cubic millimeter (interquartile range, 108-346). Patients with either a history of antiretroviral use or lack of CD4 response were more likely to experience virologic failure. Survival was 84% at 1 year and 82% at 2 years. World Health Organization stage 4 was predictive of both not sustaining therapy and increased mortality.

CONCLUSIONS: A community-based antiretroviral treatment program in a resource-limited setting can provide excellent AIDS care over at least a 2-year period. A comprehensive program based upon peer health workers and nurses provides an effective alternative model for AIDS care.