PrE-AIM:

The Process Evaluation Assessing Implementation and Mechanisms (PrE-AIM) study was a mixed-methods process evaluation nested within the CAST-NET study and was designed to understand how South Africa's national CrAg screening programme was implemented and incorporated into routine HIV care.

The mixed-methods approach used quantitative surveys and qualitative in-depth interviews to collect data on health facility processes, healthcare worker experiences, and other contextual factors with the aim of better understanding how differences in CrAg screening implementation and adoption affected provider action on positive CrAg test results.

Healthcare worker surveys were conducted at around 400 health facilities participating in the CAST-NET study, and key findings were explored in greater detail through in-depth interviews and observations in 6 purposively-selected sub- districts.

The findings from this sub-study will provide context to the results of the CAST-NET study and will inform possible areas for improvement of the national screening programme in the future.