Operation Triple Zero: Implementation, Processes, and Outcomes of an Asset-Based Approach to Achieving Viral Suppression Among Adolescents and Young Persons Living With HIV in Kenya, 2017-2021.

Abstract

Purpose: The 2018 Kenya Population-based HIV Impact Assessment revealed gaps in HIV care among adolescents and young people living with HIV (AYPLHIV) aged 10-24 years, with only 70.6% aware of their status, of these, 93.1% on antiretroviral therapy (ART), and 79.2% of those on treatment had achieved viral load suppression (VLS). Operation Triple Zero (OTZ) aims to address these gaps by fostering intrinsic motivation in AYPLHIV to achieve good health outcomes, emphasizing zero missed appointments, zero missed medication, and zero viral load. We examine clinical outcomes of VLS, ART adherence, and retention among AYPLHIV aged 10-24 enrolled in OTZ from 2017 to 2021.

Methods: Data from 20 early adopter OTZ sites were analyzed for ART adherence, retention, viral load testing, and VLS. We compared demographic and clinical characteristics at enrollment and end line by sex, using Pearson's chi-square test for categorical variables, McNemar chi-square test, and Wilcoxon rank-sum for baseline versus end-line comparisons.

Results: Of 1,569 AYPLHIV enrolled in OTZ, 1,372 (87.4%) had complete records. The median age at OTZ enrollment was 12 years (interquartile range: 14-16). VLS improved from 72.7% to 88.5% (p < .001), and 96% of AYPLHIV were retained on ART. Among virally suppressed AYPLHIV at baseline (n = 958), 92.4% sustained VLS (91.9% females, 92.9% males), notably 100% among those on once-a-day dolutegravir or atazanavir. Re-suppression rate for viremic AYPLHIV at baseline (n = 360) was 78.3%. Satisfactory adherence correlated with higher re-suppression rates.

Discussion: OTZ implementation led to improved HIV treatment outcomes among AYPLHIV, contributing to sustained epidemic control efforts complementing other interventions.