Table 1 Study inclusion and exclusion criteria

Inclusion criteria

 • Confirmed HIV-1 infection based on country standard of care for testing algorithm

 • Stable on ART, defined as:

  − on ART for at least 6 months

  − on a first-line ART regimen as defined by country-specific guidelines (efavirenz, tenofovir, and emtricitabine or lamivudine)

  − no drug toxicity/tolerability issues within the prior 6 months

  − no period of more than 1 month without medication possession within the last 6 months

   − no active opportunistic infection (OI) suspected (including tuberculosis (TB)) and not treated for an OI within the last 30 days

   − undetectable viral load (as defined by country guidelines) within the last 6 months:

    ▪ Malawi: less than 1000 copies/mL

    ▪ Zambia: less than 20 copies/mL

 • Willing and able to provide written informed consent

 • Planning to receive HIV care from the same facility for at least 1 year

Exclusion criteria

 • Co-morbid condition(s) for which the individual is treated at the ART clinic (hypertension, diabetes mellitus, chronic lung disease, etc.)

 • Pregnant or breastfeeding, or if not breastfeeding, less than 6 months postpartum

 • Already receiving care within a differentiated model in which care is received as a group or in a community, such as a community-based adherence group or adherence club

 • Enrolled in any other research studies that would influence ART adherence, retention, or dispensing interval