2.6.4. Component C: MI counseling sessions (30–40 minutes each)
HIV viral suppression
SESSION
The component focused on eliciting participants' decisions regarding reaching HIV viral suppression and how that might be achieved if participants wished to do so. The three sessions were guided by manuals that were developed by the research team and a Community Advisory Board for the present study. The written manuals note the overall goal for the component, techniques recommended as part of MI (e.g., developing discrepancy, readiness ruler, encouraging change talk), and guidance on training on habit formation. Then, each session was guided by a sequence of activities, with sample language provided as a guide. Further, interventionists were instructed to think of the component as flexible and individualized in order to meet participants' needs and to use the manuals in that context. Session one guided participants to identify HIV-related goals, barriers, and facilitators of goals, and introduced participants to the idea of habits for HIV medication. Session two took place ~2 weeks later and reviewed goals, habits, successes, and barriers, and discussed the perceived value of sustained HIV medication adherence at levels sufficient to achieve viral suppression. The final session took place ~2 weeks after that and focused on gains made and sustaining achievements after the financial reward was received. The primary mediator for MI counseling sessions was motivation for HIV viral suppression. (Manuals are available from the corresponding author.).