The Sustainable East Africa Research in Community Health (SEARCH) Collaboration has tested and linked hundreds of people to HIV care for the first time. In a new publication, SEARCH researchers analyze the retention rate among patients they have linked to care in Kenya.

While young adults (15-24) have the lowest retention rate, the study also reveals a promising way to improve it. Young adults living with another HIV-positive household member had a 9% higher retention rate. The SEARCH and FACES teams are exploring more ways to harness the power of social support to improve care linkages and outcomes.