Optimizing the Efficiency and Implementation of Cash Transfers to Improve Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy

Optimizing the Efficiency and Implementation of Cash Transfers to Improve Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy

1. Determine the "dose-response" relationship between a cash transfer amount and HIV viral suppression at 6 months
2. Identify the most effective cash transfer size to increase the proportion of people living with HIV infection (PLHIV) retained in care and with suppressed viral load (<1000 copies/ml) after 6 months. (This amount will be further evaluated in a cluster randomized trial in Phase 2).

Participants in the control group will receive the standard HIV primary care services according to Tanzania's National Guidelines for the Management of HIV and AIDS.

The study has two active intervention arms:

1. The opportunity to earn 10,000 TZS/month (~$4.50) for up to 6 months conditional on visit attendance, and
2. The opportunity to earn 22,500 TZS/month (~$10.00) for up to 6 months conditional on visit attendance

In both intervention arms, cash transfers will be delivered a maximum of once monthly, spaced ≥28 days apart, for up to six months and delivered via an automatic mobile money system linked to a biometric identification system.

Inclusion Criteria:

• ≥18 years
• Living with HIV infection
• Initiated antiretroviral therapy ≤1 month prior to enrollment in the study

Exclusion Criteria:

- Participants who do no provide informed consent