HIV infection can be effectively controlled with antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, children and adolescents living with HIV and receiving ART suffer high rates of treatment failure, predominantly caused by suboptimal adherence to therapy and/or viral drug resistance. While high-income countries routinely use genotypic resistance testing (GRT) to determine which drug combinations are likely to be effective, this diagnostic tool is relatively costly and labour-intensive and is not routinely available in most resource-limited settings. GIVE MOVE is a multi-country (Lesotho, Tanzania) randomised clinical trial assessing if rapid GRT after detecting an unsuppressed viral load improves the clinical management and thus health outcomes for children and adolescents living with HIV. Children and adolescents with an unsuppressed viral load despite ART are enrolled and randomly allocated to a control or an intervention arm (50% of participants in each arm). The control arm receives care according to the current standard of care, consisting of three sessions of enhanced adherence counselling at monthly intervals, followed by a second viral load test. Onward treatment is informed by the outcome of this viral load test alongside empirical guidelines and clinical judgement. The intervention arm receives GRT and GRT-informed onward therapy. Participants in the intervention arm also receive three sessions of enhanced adherence counselling, which is informed by GRT results (i.e., if no drug resistance is detected, there is a high chance of suboptimal adherence to ART and this can be directly addressed). This trial will assess if the rapid provision of GRT improves participants' health outcomes at 9 months after enrolment. A nested study will assess the cost and cost-effectiveness of GRT. Thus, this trial will provide evidence on whether the provision of GRT for children and adolescents with HIV should be prioritised in resource-limited settings.
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Composite primary endpoint
Timeframe: At 9 months follow-up visit (window: 32-44 weeks)