Patient-Led Peer Support Groups Improve Anti-Hypertensive Drugs Access for Adults Living with HIV and Hypertension in Rural Uganda – A Cross-Sectional Study

Mucunguzi Atukunda,1 Brian Twinamatsiko,1 Michael Ayebare,1 Elizabeth Arinitwe,2 Aida N Kawuma,3 Ronald Kiguba,4 Joanita Nangendo,4 Gerald Mutungi,5 Fred C Semitala,1,4 Moses R Kamya,1,4 Jane Kabami1 1Department of Research, Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda; 2Department of Adult Cardiology, Uganda Heart Institute, Kampala, Uganda; 3Department of Research, Infectious Diseases Institute, Kampala, Uganda; 4College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda; 5Department of Non-Communicable Diseases, Ministry of Health, Kampala, UgandaCorrespondence: Mucunguzi Atukunda, Infectious Diseases Research Collaboration, Kampala, Uganda, Tel +256-703182949, Email [email protected]: People living with HIV (PLHIV) often have poorly controlled hypertension due to medication non-adherence, primarily caused by limited access to antihypertensive drugs. Peer support groups are being explored to improve access. We evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of peer support groups to improve access to anti-hypertensive drugs for PLHIV with hypertension.Methods: From December 2022 to April 2023, we conducted a cross-sectional survey and measurement of blood pressure among PLHIV in 26Â health facilities to assess the accessibility of anti-hypertensive drugs in the peer support groups. The collected data was summarized using descriptive statistics.Results: Eight out of 26Â health facilities formed peer support groups. Among 163 PLHIV interviewed only 64 participated in the peer support groups. Among those who participated in peer support groups, 57% reported accessing anti-hypertensive drugs through the group. The peer support groups were affordable for most participants. Around 60% found the contributions manageable, with 79% contributing $1.3 or less. Most participants expressed satisfaction in the performance of the peer support groups. And blood pressure control was higher among survey participants in peer support groups (53.1%) compared to those not in such groups (33.3%), with an overall control rate of 41.1%.Conclusion: The results of the study suggest that patient-led peer support groups are a feasible intervention to improve access to antihypertensive medications for PLHIV with Hypertension.Keywords: HIV, hypertension, peer support groups, anti-hypertensive drugs, multi-morbidity