In Sierra Leone, Community Adherence Groups (CAGs) were established in response to COVID-19 as a way to reduce the burden on health facilities and ensure uninterrupted ART access for people living with HIV. A CAG is a group of six to ten people living with HIV, who are from the same community or geographic location. One member of the group collects ART refills for the whole group. When the CAG meets to receive their ART, an ‘expert client’ in the group conducts symptom-based general health assessments for other members and they provide peer support to each other.
The establishment of CAGs has led to increased treatment uptake and improved ART adherence in the region. CAGs promote treatment adherence amongst peers and serve as a link between the community and health facilities, including raising awareness about COVID-19 infection prevention and control measures.
Find more evidence from other CAGs here.
Eligibility
More than 6 months on ART
Building Blocks
ART refills
What
Distribution of ART refills that were pre collected from health facility
Health check
Peer support
When
3 monthly
Where
Community
Who
Group member / expert client
