Table 4.

Illustrative quotes on the perceptions of quality and acceptability of the ART initiation process

Quality element	Study arm	Quote
Information	Intervention arm eligible for same-day initiation	(a) “The counselling was the best part, because I was scared to start on the medication, but the counselling made me strong.”
Information	Intervention arm not eligible for same-day initiation	(b) “She [SLATE II staff] encouraged me so much that I really asked many questions when I came in the first time. After that I was also able to encourage my wife to get tested and a cousin of mine to speak to me about her health.”
Information	Standard arm	(c) “I was given the results. She [the counsellor] then counseled me and explained what the numbers meant. She also explained to eat this and do this and that. She told me I would have to stop smoking and drinking.”
Technical competence	Standard arm	(d) “I did blood tests three times and they [clinic staff] told me that the blood samples have gone but mine was late, that’s the issue I had. Even last year, I did blood tests but I never got the results. I even went there and they checked on the computer…she kept writing things down, looking on the computer.”
Interpersonal relations	Standard arm	(e) “When you get there, they [clinic staff] give you the number of the room where you would be given medication. You don’t feel comfortable because you don’t even know what is going on. They [providers] show no concern. I wish they could put nurses who deal specifically with patients who are coming in to take treatment for the first time.”
Interpersonal relations	Standard arm	(f) “They [the nurses] were very friendly. They asked if I had tested before and I was honest to say that I have not. They told me it is important to know my status so I could get treatment. They were honest and friendly. They have love.”
Interpersonal relations	Intervention arm not eligible for same-day initiation	(g) “When you get there they [SLATE staff] talk to you, they ask you questions, they are free. They don’t harass you. If you want to tell them something you can open up.”
Interpersonal relations	Intervention arm eligible for same-day initiation	(h) “They [SLATE staff] have good communication skills and they know how to treat a patient unlike the nurses at the clinic, who shout at people.”
Mechanisms to encourage continuity	Intervention arm eligible for same-day initiation	(i) “I think it [SLATE II process] is acceptable for the community. You test and you get the results…there is nothing else you can do but start the pills. What would make a person not go back to the clinic is if they come back after a month. People change their minds and don’t go back and stay at home.”
Appropriate constellation of services	Standard arm	(j) “I didn’t find it easy, it was difficult. You don’t get help from one place, you have to go to different places. When you get somewhere, they send you somewhere else.”
Appropriate constellation of services	Intervention arm eligible for same-day initiation	(k) “From what I experienced with SLATE, I realised that if SLATE II [staff] were the ones working full time, people would not be complaining like they do at the clinic, because you would even get excited to go get treatment.”
Appropriate constellation of services	Intervention arm eligible for same-day initiation	(l) “There is a huge difference. The normal clinics are very full and you have to wait for a very long time. Some people cut the queue; some are fighting. Here [SLATE II office], it is a small place and you get attended to immediately.”
Appropriate constellation of services	Intervention arm eligible for same-day initiation	(m) “Everything you do is confidential. They [SLATE II staff] don’t shout ‘people here for ART come to this side’. So I would like for people with HIV to experience the service we get here.”

ART antiretroviral therapy, SLATE Simplified Algorithm for Treatment Eligibility