Assessing the Policy Implementation and health systems impacts on Option B+ on tree African countries to inform the delivery of Universal Test and Treat

This project will address a critical evidence gap by ascertaining health systems preparedness for delivering Universal Test and Treat (UTT). At the end will assess the policy implementation and health systems impacts of ‘Option B+’ in three African countries (Tanzania, Malawi and South Africa) to inform future delivery of policies for Universal Test and Treat (UTT).

The objectives of the study are:

I) To describe Option B+ policy implementation gaps and describe how the actors, policy content, context and processes explain these gaps

II) To determine whether key costing estimates and epidemiological parameters used in economic evaluations that demonstrated the cost effectiveness of Option B+ over Option B and A applicable

III) To assess the health systems impacts of Option B+ IV. To draw on these findings to develop strategies with key stakeholders to assess and promote health systems readiness for effective delivery of UTT.

In Tanzania the study will take place within communities and health facilities located within the Ifakara HDSS area, in the Kilombero and Ulanga East districts within the Kilombero valley, Morogoro region.

The study will use the combination of:

1) a health facility survey using a structured questionnaire to determine the cost and implementation of HIV service delivery policy at the health facility and

2) a qualitative research component which will involve interviews with key informants, service users and service providers.#