Community ARV Refill Group (CARGs)

Description/Activities:  Self-formed groups of clients on ARTs; participants meet in the community and share information about their health and ART adherence; then take turns going to the facility.  Every 3 months one member attends clinic where they receive a clinical check-up and lab testing; they also review the health information of the group (CARG) and then picks up ARV refills for the entire group.

What Makes the Intervention Unique/Different: Every patient visits clinic at least annually for a physical examination and blood tests and receives ART refills in the community from a CARG member. 

Impact Data:  57 men enrolled in CARGs; qualitative data showed CARGs promoted privacy and reduced stigma; led to decongested health facilities, shorter wait times for other patients, and reduced healthcare worker workloads; resulted in time and cost savings for CARG participants and provided pyschosocial support; increased ART enrollment; 

Reference/Website:  ICAP Presentation:  Male Engagement in Differentiated HIV Treatment Services