Effectiveness of Frequent Viral Load Testing Plus Additional Interventions to Prevent HIV Transmission in Heterosexual, Serodiscordant Couples - Yunnan Province, China, 2019-2021

HIV transmission among serodiscordant couples remains a persistent issue in China. However, the practice of combining counseling with antiretroviral therapies (ART) to enhance ART adherence is not widely implemented or recommended in Chinese health guidelines. This randomized controlled trial suggests that increased follow-up, counseling, and awareness of HIV risk can enhance ART compliance, thereby maximizing treatment efficacy. Early testing and counseling of serodiscordant couples, following the identification of a human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) positive spouse, is crucial for initiating ART and reducing the risk of seroconversion in the uninfected partner. Implementing a combination of ART and adjunct counseling in China is advisable.