Implementing operational research to scale-up access to antiretroviral therapy for HIV infection: lessons learned from the Cameroonian experience

Purpose of review Given the lack of evidence on how to best design and implement antiretroviral therapy (ART) scaling-up policies, operational research has seen a surge in interest. There is, however, little published information on the contribution of operational research in ART programs' implementation or in improvement of associated outcomes. The article focuses therefore on how operational research may contribute to such improvements and what the key enabling factors are for its integration into program frameworks. Recent findings One of the most systematic operational research linked to a national ART program on the African continent was conducted in Cameroon between 2006 and 2010. Along with operational research carried out elsewhere in Africa, it helped demonstrate that a strategy of decentralizing HIV care can increase treatment coverage and improve early access to care, while maintaining good clinical outcomes. Multipartnership between local researchers, national authorities, healthcare professionals and the civil society is the key enabling factor for the relevance of operational research and the translation of its results into policy and practice. Summary In spite of a dramatic increase in access to ART during recent years in low-income countries, the fight against HIV remains a failure in terms of the goal of breaking the pandemic dynamic. Operational research is needed more than ever to face this challenge.