The InterCARE research project is in 2 phases:
1. Phase 1 is a pilot study to refine the 3 interventions mentioned above. This formative phase will take place between September 2021 and November 2022. Clinics staff will receive training on the management of CVD (and hypertension in particular) in-person or online. Attendees feedback will be sought to improve the curriculum prior to being rolled-out in the next phase of this research project.
In parallel, the InterCARE Study Team will work with the 2 clinics Information Technology teams to adapt the existing electronic health records with CVD-specific flags, medication lists and laboratory panels.
Finally, up to 288 participants (PLWHIV) and their treatment partners will be enrolled from those 2 clinics patients lists to pilot the overall InterCARE package.
The results and experiences from the pilot stage will be assessed and collated to make improvements to each of the 3 intervention in the package. This final set of improved interventions will be the basis of the second phase of the InterCARE research project.
Phase 1 was successfully completed in November 2022.
2. The InterCARE package will be tested as a cluster randomised trial in 14 clinics around Botswana: 7 clinics will receive the InterCARE package while the remaining 7 clinics will not received any intervention, continuing with the local standard of care, with a target combined recruitment target of 4652 participants overall, to be followed up for 24 months.
Phase 2 is anticipated to take place from January 2023 to July 2025.
