Genberg, Becky L.Wilson-Barthes, Marta G.Omodi, VictorHogan, Joseph W.Steingrimsson, JonWachira, JuddyPastakia, SonakTran, Dan N.Kiragu, Zana W.Ruhl, Laura J.Rosenberg, MollyKimaiyo, SylvesterGalárraga, Omar2022-02-022022-02-022021-10Genberg, B. L., Wilson-Barthes, M. G., Omodi, V., Hogan, J. W., Steingrimsson, J., Wachira, J., Pastakia, S., Tran, D. N., Kiragu, Z. W., Ruhl, L. J., Rosenberg, M., Kimaiyo, S., & Galárraga, O. (2021). Microfinance, retention in care, and mortality among patients enrolled in HIV 2 Care in East Africa. AIDS, 35(12), 1997-2005. https://doi.org/10.1097/QAD.00000000000029870269-9370https://hdl.handle.net/1805/27666Objective: To measure associations between participation in community-based microfinance groups, retention in HIV care, and death among people with HIV (PWH) in low-resource settings. Design and methods: We prospectively analyzed data from 3609 patients enrolled in an HIV care program in western Kenya. HIV patients who were eligible and chose to participate in a Group Integrated Savings for Health Empowerment (GISHE) microfinance group were matched 1 : 2 on age, sex, year of enrollment in HIV care, and location of initial HIV clinic visit to patients not participating in GISHE. Follow-up data were abstracted from medical records from January 2018 through February 2020. Logistic regression analysis examined associations between GISHE participation and two outcomes: retention in HIV care (i.e. >1 HIV care visit attended within 6 months prior to the end of follow-up) and death. Socioeconomic factors associated with HIV outcomes were included in adjusted models. Results: The study population was majority women (78.3%) with a median age of 37.4 years. Microfinance group participants were more likely to be retained in care relative to HIV patients not participating in a microfinance group [adjusted odds ratio (aOR) = 1.31, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01–1.71; P = 0.046]. Participation in group microfinance was associated with a reduced odds of death during the follow-up period (aOR = 0.57, 95% CI 0.28–1.09; P = 0.105). Conclusion: Participation in group-based microfinance appears to be associated with better HIV treatment outcomes. A randomized trial is needed to assess whether microfinance groups can improve clinical and socioeconomic outcomes among PWH in similar settings.enPublisher PolicyEast AfricaAIDSmortality ratesArticle