Development and Evaluation of a Multi-Component Intervention to Support HIV Care Engagement Among Patients Receiving Cancer Treatment in Zimbabwe

What this Trial Is About

People in Zimbabwe who have both cancer and HIV often face challenges staying connected to their HIV care while undergoing cancer treatment. This is mainly because HIV and cancer treatments are provided at different health facilities, creating barriers to care. The goal of this research is to understand these barriers and develop ways to support patients in continuing their HIV care throughout their cancer treatment. Researchers will observe two groups of people with cancer and HIV to study these challenges and improvements. The study involves two main groups. The first group will receive standard care, and their experiences with HIV care barriers during cancer treatment will be documented. Based on these findings, researchers will develop and implement strategies at Parirenyatwa Hospital's Radiotherapy Centre to improve HIV care engagement. These strategies may include better documentation, improved referral and prescription processes, and enhanced communication between cancer and HIV care teams. After these changes, a second group of patients starting cancer treatment will be observed to assess the impact and acceptability of the new strategies. Participants will be monitored over six months or until completion of their cancer treatment. Researchers will evaluate how acceptable the new strategies are to patients and staff and track missed HIV clinical visits, antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, and missed ART prescription refills. This detailed observation will help determine if the new health system changes support patients in maintaining their HIV care during cancer treatment.

Improving Engagement in HIV and Cancer Care in Zimbabwe