The Partners Scale-Up Project

The PrEP as a bridge to ART intervention will be introduced into clinics according to Kenya national guidelines using a stepped wedge design, stratified by region. The components of the intervention are: a) Couples' HIV-1 counseling and testing; 2) PrEP as a bridge to ART: PrEP offered prior to ART initiation in couples in which the HIV-1 infected partner is not on ART due to refusal/delay, during the first 6 months after ART start during viral decline, and then discontinuation; 3) ART at any CD4 count, offered to all HIV-1 infected partners, with ongoing promotion/counseling for those delaying/declining;4) Standard of care HIV-1 prevention services

A fixed-dose, oral co-formulation of emtricitabine (FTC)/tenofovir disoproxil fumarate (TDF) is the approved and preferred regimen for HIV-1 prevention in Kenya and the United States. The World Health Organization (WHO) recommends TDF-containing medications as PrEP, which includes TDF combined with FTC as well as potentially TDF alone and TDF combined with lamivudine (or 3TC, a medication closely related to FTC). Any TDF-containing medications that align with WHO and Kenya national guidelines for PrEP will be used. PrEP medication will come from clinic stocks.

ART medications will be provided according to Kenya national ART policies and will come from clinic stocks.