The Particulars: Previous studies have not compared the effects of mobile HIV testing, community mobilization, and enhanced support for people with HIV on HIV prevention with those of standard voluntary counseling and testing (VCT).
Data Breakdown: An HIV prevention intervention consisting of mobile HIV testing, community mobilization, and enhanced support for people with HIV was provided to 24 communities and compared to standardized VCT in 24 matched communities. HIV incidence was 14% lower in intervention communities than in standard-of-care communities. The number of people tested for HIV was 25% higher in intervention communities and 45% higher among men. The proportion of patients reporting multiple partners was 30% lower in intervention communities.
Take Home Pearls: An HIV prevention program, including mobile HIV testing, community mobilization, and enhanced support for people with HIV appears to produce a modest drop in the rate of new HIV infections when compared with standard VCT. Morever, the program appears to result in considerable increases in HIV testing among men and decreases in the number of partners reported by patients with HIV.
