SummaryBackgroundRetention of patients in HIV care is crucial to ensure timely treatment initiation, viral suppression, and to avert AIDS-related deaths. We did a randomised trial to determine whether a text-messaging intervention improved retention during the first year of HIV care.MethodsThis unmasked, randomised parallel-group study was done at two clinics in informal settlements in Nairobi, Kenya. Eligible participants were aged 18 years or older, HIV-positive, had their own mobile phone or access to one, and were able to use simple text messaging (or have somebody who could text message on their behalf). Participants were randomly assigned (1:1), with random block sizes of 2, 4, and 6, to the intervention or control group. Participants in the intervention group received a weekly text message from the automated WelTel service for 1 year and were asked to respond within 48 h. Participants in the control group did not receive text messages. Participants in both groups received usual care, which comprised psychosocial support and counselling; patient education; CD4 cell count; treatment; screening for tuberculosis, opportunistic infections, and sexually transmitted infections; prevention of mother-to-child transmission and family planning services; and up to two telephone calls for missed appointments. The primary outcome was retention in care at 12 months (ie, clinic attendance 10–14 months after the first visit). Participants who did not attend this 12-month appointment were traced, and we considered as retained those who were confirmed to be active in care elsewhere. The data analyst and clinic staff were masked to the group assignment, whereas participants and research nurses were not. We analysed the intention-to-treat population. This trial is registered with ClinicalTrials.gov, number NCT01630304.FindingsBetween April 4, 2013, and June 4, 2015, we screened 1068 individuals, of whom 700 were recruited. 349 people were allocated to the intervention group and 351 to the control group. Participants were followed up for a median of 55 weeks (IQR 51–60). At 12 months, 277 (79%) of 349 participants in the intervention group were retained, compared with 285 (81%) of 351 participants in the control group (risk ratio 0·98, 95% CI 0·91–1·05; p=0·54). There was one mild adverse event related to the intervention, a domestic dispute that occurred when a participant’s partner became suspicious of the weekly messages and follow-up calls.InterpretationThis weekly text-messaging service did not improve retention of people in early HIV care. The intervention might have a modest role in improving self-perceived health-related quality of life in individuals in HIV care in similar settings.

IntroductionWhen measuring the success of HIV programmes to retain patients in care, few studies distinguish between retention in clinic (individual returns to the same clinic) and retention in care (individual is active in care at initial site or elsewhere). The objectives of this study were to quantify retention in clinic versus retention in care and determine risk factors associated with attrition from care in low‐income settings in Nairobi, Kenya.MethodsBetween April 2013 and June 2015, adults testing positive for HIV were recruited at two comprehensive care clinics in informal urban settlements. Participants were followed from the time of a positive HIV test for up to 14 months. Participants who did not return to the clinic for their 12‐month appointment between 10 and 14 months after their baseline visit were traced by telephone or community outreach to determine whether they were still receiving HIV care. We used generalized linear regression to determine the association between clinical and socio‐demographic factors and attrition from care at 12 months.ResultsOf the 1068 individuals screened for study participation, 775 individuals newly presenting to HIV care were included in this study. Between 10 and 14 months, 486 participants (62.7%, 95% confidence intervals [CI], 59.2% to 66.1%) returned to the clinic for their 12‐month appointment (retained in clinic). After telephone tracing and community outreach, an additional 123 of 289 participants were found to be active in care at other HIV clinics (42.6%, 95% CI, 36.8% to 48.5%). Overall, 609 (78.6%, 95% CI, 75.7% to 81.5%) participants were retained in care at any HIV clinic at 12 months. Participants in higher baseline CD4 count categories were more likely to be retained than those whose baseline CD4 count was <200 cells/mm3.ConclusionsRetention in clinic substantially underestimated retention in care 12 months after presenting to care in this high‐prevalence and low‐income urban setting. Improved systems to track patients between clinics are required to accurately estimate retention in care in resource‐limited settings. Although the proportion of patients retained in care was greater than expected, interventions to improve retention in care are needed to meet global targets to end the AIDS epidemic.

Few studies have examined gender differences in sub-Saharan Africa, where HIV disproportionately affects women. Objectives of this cross-sectional study were to determine gender differences in HRQoL at the time of a positive HIV test, and whether factors associated with HRQoL differed between men and women. Adults testing HIV-positive were recruited from two clinics located in informal settlements. HRQoL was measured with the SF-12. Multiple linear regression was used to test whether there were gender differences in physical (PCS) and mental composite summary (MCS) scores. Separate models were built for men and women to examine factors associated with HRQoL. Between April 2013 and June 2015, 775 individuals from were recruited. The mean PCS score was higher in women (adjusted mean difference 2.49, 95% CI 0.54 to 4.44, p = 0.012). There was no significant gender difference in MCS scores. Similar factors were associated with better physical HRQoL in men and women: secondary education, younger age, higher CD4, and employment. Employment was the only factor associated with MCS in men, while less social support and low CD4 were associated with poorer MCS scores in women. Gender differences in factors related to HRQoL should be considered in broader policy and interventions to improve the HRQoL in those diagnosed with HIV.