Table 1.

Comparison of SoC ACs and intervention ACs

	Standard of care ACs	Intervention ACs
Frequency of AC visits	2 monthly × 4+ 4 monthly × 1 (5 per year)	6 monthly (2 per year)
ART dispensing interval	2 monthly × 4 4 monthly × 1 (5 per year)	6 monthly (2 per year)
Frequency of clinical consultations	12‐monthly	12‐monthly
Frequency of routine bloods	12‐monthly	12‐monthly
Timing of routine lab tests	Part of AC visit	An additional individual visit, scheduled two to six weeks before the AC visit
Treatment “buddies”	Allowed to collect at every other visit	Not permitted
ART packing and dispensing	Pre‐packed by central dispensing unit, delivered to the clinic pharmacy, dispensed at AC visit	Pre‐packed at the clinic pharmacy with support from research staff, dispensed at AC visit
Standard number of contacts per year	5	3 (2 within the AC and 1 individual for routine bloods)
Size of ACs	Groups of 25 to 30	Groups of 25 to 30
Peer‐based support	Strong emphasis	Strong emphasis
Patient self‐management	Strong emphasis	Strong emphasis
Management of clinical complications	Up‐referral to clinic clinicians – patient exits AC and returns to routine clinic appointments	Up‐referral to clinic clinicians – patient exits AC and returns to routine clinic appointments
Grace period	5 days	5 days
Minimum number of contacts for the patient per year	3 (could send a “treatment buddy” to collect ART twice)	3