INTE-COMM
Development and evaluation of a community-based model for the integrated management of HIV, diabetes and hypertension in Tanzania and Uganda.
Project summary
INTE-COMM is a 4-year research project. LSTM, MRC/UVRI + LSHTM Uganda Research Unit and National institute for Medical Research (NIMR) in Tanzania will work collaboratively with policy makers and patient groups to design a new community-based integrated model of care for the management of patients with HIV, diabetes and hypertension. Once designed, we will test how effective this is compared to clinic-based management of these conditions at improving patient outcomes. Once an effective model has been developed, we will also examine how this can be scaled up and sustained across different country contexts in Africa.
As part of this project, there will be a 12 to18-month formative phase, to build and pilot test different components of integrated community care. To achieve this, we will be guided by existing community-based models of HIV care that include provision of medicines, peer-support and self-management. The integrated community care model will be built following interviews with different stakeholders including patient groups and policy makers, the involvement of whom is critical. It will then be evaluated against standard clinic-based care in a randomised study.
As with all RESPOND-AFRICA projects, proactive community engagement is crucial for the success of INTE-COMM. Therefore, this project will be underpinned by a public and patient involvement approach whereby patient and community representatives input into our research ideas, have a say in how research should be implemented, inform how we communicate with patient groups to increase awareness in the community about the need for research and about chronic life-long conditions.
