ART Initiation Introduction
National ART Clinical Guidelines 2023
A clinical assessment and laboratory baseline investigations should be done in order to initiate ART. However, laboratory results do not need to be available to start clients on ART on the same day, provided they have no clinical evidence of TB, meningitis or renal disease. In addition, all clients, and caregivers of paediatric clients, must receive counselling on how to administer medication, monitor side-effects and deal with challenges to adherence.
Interventions to support adherence to ART
ART literacy education and fast-track initiation counselling (FTIC) empower clients to adhere to treatment, and positively influence clinical outcomes. Adherence counselling at ART initiation and first follow-up visit should focus on:
- Providing the client with an understanding of HIV, ART, and the importance of VL suppression
- Providing the client with practical skills to adhere to ART
- Identifying any potential risk factors for adherence in the future
- An individualized adherence plan should be developed with clear treatment milestones, including an undetectable viral load
Click here for Assessing Renal Function
Click here for Indications for Starting and Stopping Cotrimoxazole Preventive Therapy (CPT)
Click here for TB Preventive Therapy
Click here for Dolutegravir & Drug Interactions with Dolutegravir
Click here for Re-initiating ART in Non-pregnant Clients who have Interrupted Treatment
2023 ART Clinical Guidelines for the Management of HIV in Adults, Pregnancy and Breastfeeding, Adolescents, Children, Infants and Neonates
June 2023 Version 4
Upload date: 28/07/2023