Applying the iDARE Methodology in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania to Improve Health Outcomes During the COVID-19 Pandemic.

ABSTRACT

INTRODUCTION: We introduce the iDARE methodology and present the results of iDARE implementation in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania during the coronavirus disease (COVID-19) pandemic. IDARE METHODOLOGY: iDARE drives locally led solutions that address barriers to achieving improved health outcomes. WI-HER supported the governments of Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania, to design and implement solutions to improve (1) HIV health outcomes, (2) gender-based violence identification and response, and (3) mass drug administration coverage, respectively. RESULTS: In Uganda, the iDARE team at Nagongera Health Center IV increased viral load suppression (VLS) among actively enrolled men in care from 65% to 95% and increased VLS among actively enrolled children in care from 60% to 96% in 12 months. In 11 months, the Mulanda Health Center IV iDARE team increased VLS among actively enrolled men in care from 85% to 93% and actively enrolled children in care from 73% to 96%. In Kenya, 8 facility iDARE teams improved identification, management, and response for gender-based violence survivors by a monthly average of 642% in 10 months. Additionally, the identification, management, and response for male survivors of gender-based violence increased from an average of 8 to 188 men per month and from an average of 81 to 364 women per month. In Tanzania, the government applied iDARE to improve mass drug administration (MDA) access and uptake among school-age children. Eighteen percent of the children (equal male and female) had missed or refused treatment during school-based MDA. After 1 month of application of iDARE, the 4 schools achieved 99% MDA uptake among registered children (enrolled and nonenrolled). DISCUSSION: Due to the various lockdowns, restrictions, and safety implications during the COVID-19 pandemic, iDARE was used to rapidly adjust from planned in-person to sometimes virtual engagements. Despite these challenges, iDARE demonstrated improvements in Uganda, Kenya, and Tanzania.