Toward Empowering Women in HIV Care: A Peer-Supported Patient-Initiated Viral Load Testing Cluster-Randomized Trial in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Peter Karoli, Gibson B. Kagaruki, Elizabeth Shayo, Ayoub Kibao, Ndeniria Swai, Zhihui Li, National Institute for Medical Research-Tanzania , Dar es Salaam, Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences , Dar es Salaam, Dar es Salaam Regional Medical Office, Ministry of Health, Dar es Salaam, Vanke School of Public Health, Tsinghua University

Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (JIAPAC)

Published online on July 21, 2026

Abstract

Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (JIAPAC), Volume 25, January-December 2026.
BackgroundRoutine viral load testing (VLT) is critical for monitoring HIV treatment effectiveness, yet adherence to annual testing and patient engagement remain suboptimal, particularly among women. We evaluated a peer educator–supported, patient-...