Home Counseling Boosts HIV Testing and Treatment in Kenyan Couples

A home-based counseling program for pregnant women and their male partners significantly boosted joint HIV testing rates and improved viral suppression outcomes for mothers living with HIV, according to a new study. Co-led by researchers from the University of Michigan and the University of Alabama at Birmingham, the intervention involved in-home visits to counsel couples, resulting in a more than fourfold increase in joint HIV testing compared to standard clinic-based care. The findings, published in a peer-reviewed journal, highlight the potential of decentralized, couple-focused strategies to address gaps in HIV prevention and treatment during pregnancy and postpartum.

The study tracked participants over 12 months postpartum, revealing that 56% of couples who received home visits tested together for HIV, compared to just 13.6% of those relying on routine health facility services. Home counseling also facilitated greater adherence to antiretroviral therapy among mothers with HIV, enabling 84% to achieve viral suppression by 12 months, a critical factor in preventing mother-to-child transmission. Researchers attributed the success to the personalized, non-stigmatizing environment of home visits, which encouraged open communication and reduced barriers such as transportation or clinic wait times.

The results underscore the importance of integrating home-based care into existing maternal health systems to enhance HIV outcomes. With over 1.5 million pregnant women living with HIV globally, the study suggests that expanding such programs could reduce transmission rates and improve long-term health for both mothers and children. Public health officials and policymakers are now being urged to prioritize funding and training for community health workers to scale this approach in high-need regions.