ABSTRACT
Although South Africa has the largest number of people on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in the world, many HIV clients drop out of care immediately after HIV diagnosis. This qualitative study explored the perceptions and experiences of newly diagnosed clients on the role support groups play in linking and retaining newly diagnosed clients in HIV care in Mbandazayo peri-urban location. The data were analysed using the thematic content analysis approach. Data revealed four mechanisms through which support groups appeared to link and retain newly diagnosed clients in the HIV care continuum. First, support groups were a formal link between newly diagnosed clients and health facilities. Second, support groups mitigated the effects of both felt and enacted stigma, thereby facilitating acceptance of HIV diagnosis among newly diagnosed clients. Third, support groups were an advocacy and networking tool for newly diagnosed clients to make their health related needs, challenges, and concerns known to local health clinics, thereby forging and maintaining a close relationship with their local health facilities. Last, support groups were spaces within the community where practical needs of newly diagnosed clients are met, which in turn help in retaining them within support groups, and facilitate their linkage and retention in the HIV continuum of care in Mbandazayo. Our findings suggest that HIV support groups are critical in enhancing linkages and retention of newly diagnosed clients in HIV care. With the introduction of universal test and treat (UTT) in South Africa, our findings suggest that support groups can play a significant role in retaining HIV care clients who are diagnosed and immediately enrolled on ART