Dataset of the Konga community-based cluster-randomized trial in Tanzanian children with high HIV viral loads

This dataset contains data from a cluster-randomized controlled trial to evaluate the effectiveness of a community-based intervention (Konga model) for viral load suppression among children living with HIV in Simiyu, Tanzania. Children aged 2‒14 years with a viral load >1,000 cells/mL were randomly assigned to 15 treatment and 30 control clusters based on their area of residence. The intervention included adherence counseling, psychosocial support, and screening for comorbidities. Viral load was measured at baseline and 6 months later. We compared the mean viral loads of participants before and after the intervention. The 82 participants had a mean age of 9 years and a baseline median viral load of 13,150 copies/mL. After the study, the intervention group had significantly higher adherence (92%) than the control group (80%). After adjusting for baseline viral load, the intervention explained 4% of the viral load variation. This trial showed significant benefits of the Konga model. We recommend conducting similar trials elsewhere to confirm the generalizability of the intervention, so that it can be implemented elsewhere Further, we believe that this data will be of interest to the readership of your repository because our data increases our current understanding of the social dimensions of HIV in an African context and provides recommendations related to improving HIV care, particularly for children