Table 3.

Characteristics of included records

Study citation and location	Type of document	Objective of study		Study design	Special Remarks
					Factors enabling sustainability	Factors jeopardizing sustainability
Bango et al. (2016). 6 Adherence clubs for long‐term provision of antiretroviral therapy: cost‐effectiveness and access analysis from Khayelitsha, South Africa. South Africa	Peer‐reviewed article	Assessment of the cost‐effectiveness of clubs in comparison to conventional care and analysis of the accessibility of club models		Mixed method (retrospective longitudinal study and interviews of club members)	Recognition that ACs are effective due to evidence for cost‐effectiveness Affordability and acceptability high for clubs	Persistence of stigmatization
Dudhia et al. (2015). 25 Experiences of participating in an antiretroviral treatment adherence club. South Africa	Peer‐reviewed article	Analysis of the experiences of club participants and healthcare workers		Qualitative (interviews with members, doctors, counsellor. pharmacists)	Clubs encourage leadership (patient empowerment) Participation in patients’ treatment (peer support)	Challenge of club integration (linkage of CDU system/pharmacy/clinic shows problems) Identifies the need for sufficient resources (reliable drug supply)
Grimsrud et al. (2015). 28 Implementation of community‐based adherence clubs for stable antiretroviral therapy patients in Cape Town, South Africa. South Africa	Peer‐reviewed article	Description of implementation of community adherence clubs and analysis of early clinical outcomes		Retrospective cohort study	Recognition of clubs’ effectiveness (high patient uptake, clinical outcomes) Recognition that clubs are extensions of facilities (club integration)	Identifies the challenge of insufficient resources (maintenance of community venues) Dependence on NGOs for staff and technical support Potential risk to poor linkage between clinics and clubs
Mukumbang et al. (2016). 26 Towards developing an initial programme theory: Programme designers and managers assumptions on the antiretroviral treatment adherence club programme in primary healthcare facilities in the metropolitan area of Western Cape Province, South Africa. South Africa	Peer‐reviewed article	Evaluation of the adherence club programme based on the realist approach (to answer questions and identify what is functioning for whom, under which circumstances)		Qualitative (in‐depth interviews with designers and implementers) and review of documents	Strong support for club concept from all stakeholders favouring implementation process Recognition of leadership role of steering committee for successful implementation Patient participation (peer support)	Identifies the importance of government support through policies Dependence on NGO Identifies the need for resources (venue for meetings and its maintenance)
Venables et al. (2017). 27 “If I'm not in the club, I have to move from one chair to another.” A qualitative evaluation of patient experiences of adherence clubs in Khayelitsha and Gugulethu, South Africa. South Africa.	Conference Presentation	Analysis of perceptions of clubs including club members and non‐members		Qualitative (focus group discussion and in‐depth interviews)	Recognition of club effectiveness (time‐saving, peer support) High acceptance among HIV patients	Lacking trusting relationship (patient‐clubs‐facilities) Identifies the need for adequate club integration to guarantee a functioning referral system between clubs and facilities
Wilkinson et al. (2016). 29 Expansion of the adherence club model for stable antiretroviral therapy patients in the Cape Metro, South Africa 2011‐2015. South Africa	Peer‐reviewed article		Description of the scaling‐up process of adherence clubs across the Cape Metro district	Longitudinal cohort study	Recognition of role of steering committee in scaling‐up process Increasing number of patients and clubs (high acceptance) Clubs flexibility (eligibility criteria, different club models etc.)	Identification of financial resources (funding) for further scale‐up Identification of the need for sufficient human resources

AC, adherence clubs; CDU, central dispensing unit; LHCWs, lay healthcare workers; NGO, non‐governmental organization.