PASEO Intervention for Adolescents Transitioning to Adult HIV Care in Urban Peru (PASEO)

Community-Based Accompaniment for Adolescents Transitioning to Adult HIV Care in Urban Peru: an Evaluation of the "PASEO" Intervention

This study is an evaluation of an intervention (nicknamed "PASEO") that aims to facilitate the transition to adult HIV care for adolescents living with HIV in Lima, Peru. The intervention consists of health systems navigation and accompaniment, monthly check-ins with a lay health worker, enhanced social support provided through peer support groups, education sessions, mental health screening and referral, resolution of acute needs, and individualized adherence support. The study is a two-arm 1:1 randomized evaluation to determine the short- and long-term (i.e., post-intervention) efficacy of the PASEO intervention with regard to retention with viral load suppression as well as other indicators of well-being. The cumulative incidence of unsuccessful transition at 12- and 24-months will be compared. The cost and cost-effectiveness of the study intervention in terms of cost per additional successful transition achieved will be estimated. Data on implementation considerations essential for uptake, sustainability, and successful adoption by the public sector will be provided.

Adolescence, Community-based accompaniment, Retention, Antiretroviral treatment, Social support, Mental health, Treatment support, Adherence

Participants randomized to the control arm of the study will receive a modestly enhanced standard of care. Specifically, they will receive HIV transition information in the form of a paper brochure and/or a video link, and a package of supplies (i.e., a pillbox, a folder to store medical documents). Participants will undergo depression and substance use screening and will be referred as needed.

Participants randomized to the intervention arm of the study will receive a modestly enhanced standard of care. Specifically, they will receive HIV transition information in the form of a paper brochure and/or a video link, and a package of supplies (i.e., a pillbox, a folder to store medical documents). Participants will undergo depression and substance use screening and will be referred as needed. Participants allocated to this group will also receive the PASEO intervention.

The intervention consists of community-based accompaniment intervention aimed at facilitating the transition to adult HIV care for adolescents living with HIV in Lima, Peru.The intervention includes the following activities: health systems navigation and accompaniment to clinic visits, monthly check-ins with an entry-level health worker, social support provided through peer support groups, education sessions, resolution of acute needs, and individualized adherence support.

Change in transition readiness (assessed using the Am I on TRAC and Got Transitions questionnaires) from baseline

Change in HIV-related stigma (assessed using an Abbreviated Berger HIV Stigma Scale: score range 21-84, higher score indicating greater levels of stigma) from baseline

Change in social connectedness (assessed using the Social Connectedness Scale: score range 20-120, higher score indicating greater sense of social connectedness and belongingness) from baseline

Change in sexual behavior of risk (assessed using questions from the Youth Risk Behavior Surveillance System) from baseline

Change in percentage of days, during the last 30, during which at least one dose was missed (assessed using a 30 day-recall) from baseline. Minimum= -100, maximum=100; scores above 0 indicate an improvement relative to baseline, with higher scores indicating greater improvements. Assessed among those on treatment for at least a month at enrollment.

Inclusion Criteria: Adolescent or young person living with HIV and aware of diagnosis 15 to 21 years of age (may be increased to 23 to meet recruitment targets) Currently taking or eligible for ART at a participating facility Scheduled to transition to adult care or previous unsuccessful transition to adult care Willing to participate regardless of the study arm to which they will be assigned Able and willing to provide written informed consent Exclusion Criteria: Living outside of Lima province Participation in the PASEO pilot study Current enrollment in another research study