Table 5.

Patients’ suggestions to improve ART initiation process and early adherence, stratified by patient type

Themes	Standard arm	Intervention arm eligible for same-day initiation	Intervention arm not eligible for same-day initiation
Suggestions to improve ART initiation process	Improve counselling and testing options   Have a separate nurse who can have focused time with new patients   Make home testing available Improve processes at clinic   Simplify the experience (fewer referrals) so that they do not lose patience, get confused   Do not colour-code files   Cut down on wait times, hire more staff Same-day treatment after testing positive Community sensitisation efforts   Educate youth and community on HIV and the benefits testing and treatment	Improve counselling and testing options   Test all patients for HIV regardless of visit type   Ensure everyone has SLATE II counselling experience   Mobile clinics Improve processes at clinic   Do not isolate HIV patients at clinic; not standing in two lines   Do not colour-code files Same-day treatment for everyone Community sensitisation efforts   Door-to-door education campaign   Tents for counselling and testing near schools, churches, taverns   Address HIV in church, political parties   Advertise ART on TV	No themes emerged
Suggestions to improve early adherence	Improve privacy and process at clinic   Do not have separate lines for different illnesses   Do not colour-code files   Make it easier for returning patients to see doctor if any problems Improve counselling and follow-up options   Home visits   Check in via call or SMS Improve drug collection options   Be able to receive ART by post Address food insecurity   Government to provide food parcels for unemployed	Improve counselling and follow-up options   Staff the clinic to reduce wait times   Follow-up with patients (phone call, SMS reminders, or home visits)   Patients should set an alarm/reminder   On-going counselling at the clinic   Better explain tests and patient file before seeing the doctor Improve drug collection options   Make drug collection possible at community outlets   Make separate place in the clinic for collection only	Improve privacy and process at clinic   Increase number of staff Improve counselling and follow-up options   Establish support groups   Home visits   Clinic should call if a patient does not pick up medication Improve drug collection options   Collect medication from machines   Would like medication for more than one month at a time Address food insecurity   Provide food vouchers   Government should create more jobs

ART antiretroviral therapy, SLATE Simplified Algorithm for Treatment Eligibility