A landmark clinical trial has demonstrated that integrated, community-based care for HIV, diabetes, and hypertension is safe and effective in sub-Saharan Africa. The study, led by researchers from the London School of Hygiene & Tropical Medicine (LSHTM) and partners, was published in *The New England Journal of Medicine*.
The INTE-AFRICA trial involved over 7,000 patients across Tanzania and Uganda. It compared integrated care delivered in local community settings to standard facility-based care. The results showed that community-based care was non-inferior for key health outcomes, including viral suppression for HIV and blood pressure control.
This model, where nurses and community health workers provide combined services, successfully reduced clinic visits by 57% for patients. The approach eases the burden on overcrowded health facilities and could significantly expand access to chronic disease management in the region.
The findings provide strong evidence for policymakers to adopt and scale up this integrated service delivery model. It represents a crucial strategy for strengthening health systems facing a growing burden of chronic diseases alongside existing infectious disease epidemics.
