HomeLink2 Study Testing Structured Home Care and Nutritional Support to Improve Health and Reduce Death After Hospital Stay for People with HIV

What this Trial Is About

People living with HIV who have recently been discharged from the hospital face a higher risk of poor health outcomes, including death. This study evaluates whether providing structured home-based care, with or without nutritional support, can help reduce the risk of death within six months after discharge and improve long-term health. The trial is a randomized clinical study that also looks at how practical and acceptable these home care approaches are in real-world settings. Participants are randomly assigned to one of three groups standard post-discharge care, home-based care with medical assessments and psychosocial support, or home-based care combined with food parcels for nutritional support. The home visits start one week after discharge and occur every two weeks, totaling 4 to 6 visits. Those in the nutritional support group receive three food parcel deliveries at weeks 1, 5, and 9. The care during home visits includes medication adherence support, clinical assessments, lab specimen collection, and counseling. During the study, participants are monitored for mortality up to 12 months after discharge, rehospitalization, viral load suppression, and weight changes. Researchers also assess how well the interventions are delivered, their acceptance by patients and families, and the economic impact of illness on households. The study spans several years, with enrollment starting in 2025 and follow-up continuing through 2029, aiming to provide evidence to improve care for people living with HIV after hospital discharge.

HomeLink2: Reducing Posthospitalization Mortality Through Structured Home Care and Nutritional Support