Psychosocial Support for Youth Living With HIV

PEDIATRICS ◽  
2014 ◽  
Vol 133 (3) ◽  
pp. 558-562 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. Martinez ◽  
R. Chakraborty ◽  

2020 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 13-47
Author(s):  
Chirchir Matthew Kimeli ◽  
Eddah Cheruiyot ◽  
James Waweru ◽  
Richard Sumukwo ◽  
Nanyorri Nalama ◽  
...  

Purpose: Adolescents and youth living with HIV/AIDs experience numerous challenges and support needs, some of which occur in school and affect their quality of life. Several reasons have been advanced to explain this trend includes; stigma, peer pressure and discrimination. However, little focus has been made on socio-cultural, socioeconomic and clinical challenges facing Adolescents and Youth Living with HIV/AIDS (AYLHIV). The objective of this study was to assess the challenges influencing access to comprehensive HIV care among adolescents and youth aged 15-24 years at Nakuru county referral hospital in Kenya.Methodology: Adopting social cognitive theory, a descriptive survey research design was used. Purposive and proportionate random sampling techniques were used to obtain a sample size of 47 AYLHIV. Questionnaires and focused group discussions were used to collect data from AYLHIV; while Interview schedules were to collect data from counsellors in November 2019. Data were analyzed by the use of descriptive statistics in January 2020.Findings: The study concludes that the main socio-cultural challenges faced by AYLWA at County Referral Hospitals are stigma and frequent change of caregivers resulting in poor adherence to ARV medications. Moreover, no major socio-economic challenges were affecting AYLWA at the health facilities. Further, the main clinical challenges facing AYLWA were poor adherence and low viral suppression.Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends the need to offer and strengthen psychosocial support to AYLWA to enable them to cope with their status and educate the caregivers on the importance of the AYLWA having a consistent caregiver for continuity. The hospital management should avail more trained adherence counsellors for this role. Moreover, the hospital management needs to strengthen the Youth Friendly HIV services to improve responsiveness to the youth needs. This will enhance peer support.


2018 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sylvie Naar ◽  
Jeffrey T Parsons ◽  
Bonita F Stanton

BACKGROUND The past 30 years have witnessed such significant progress in the prevention and treatment of HIV/AIDS that an AIDS-free generation and the end to the global AIDS epidemic are ambitious, but achievable, national and global goals. Despite growing optimism, globally, youth living with HIV are markedly less likely to receive antiretroviral therapy than adults (23% vs 38%). Furthermore, marked health disparities exist regarding HIV infection risk, with young men of color who have sex with men disproportionately affected. A large body of research has identified highly impactful facilitators of and barriers to behavior change. Several efficacious interventions have been created that decrease the rate of new HIV infections among youth and reduce morbidity among youth living with HIV. However, full benefits that should be possible based on the tools and interventions currently available are yet to be realized in youth, in large part, because efficacious interventions have not been implemented in real-world settings. Scale It Up (SIU) primarily aims to assemble research teams that will ultimately bring to practice evidence-based interventions that positively impact the youth HIV prevention and care cascades, and in turn, advance the fields of implementation science and self-management science. OBJECTIVE This paper aims to describe the structure of the U19-SIU and the effectiveness-implementation hybrid trials, as well as other center-wide protocols and initiatives, implemented within SIU. METHODS SIU will achieve its aims through 4 individual primary protocols, 2 center-wide protocols, and 3 cross-project initiatives. RESULTS SIU was funded by National Institute for Child Health and Human Development (U19HD089875) and began in October 2016. As of November 2018, 6 SIU protocols have launched at least the first phase of work (ATN 144 SMART: Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial; ATN 145 YMHP: Young Men’s Health Project; ATN 146 TMI: Tailored Motivational Interviewing Intervention; ATN 153 EPIS: Exploration, Preparation, Implementation, Sustainment model; ATN 154 CM: Cascade Monitoring; ATN 156 We Test: Couples' Communication and HIV Testing). Further details can be found in the individual protocol papers. CONCLUSIONS To date, the youth HIV research portfolio has not adequately advanced the important care area of self-management. SIU protocols and initiatives address this broad issue by focusing on evaluating the effectiveness and implementation of self-management interventions. SIU is highly innovative for 5 primary reasons: (1) our research framework expands the application of “self-management”; (2) the 4 primary protocols utilize innovative hybrid designs; (3) our Analytic Core will conduct cost-effectiveness analyses of each intervention; (4) across all 4 primary protocols, our Implementation Science Core will apply implementation scales designed to assess inner and outer context factors; and (5) we shall advance understanding of the dynamics between provider and patient through analysis of recorded interactions. INTERNATIONAL REGISTERED REPOR DERR1-10.2196/11204


2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Emmanuel Kimera ◽  
Sofie Vindevogel ◽  
Didier Reynaert ◽  
Anne-Mie Engelen ◽  
Kintu Mugenyi Justice ◽  
...  

Abstract Background Although schools have been identified as significant settings in the response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, limited research is available on how they can accommodate Youth Living with HIV/AIDS (YLWHA), especially in resource limited countries. In this study, we explored strategies by school stakeholders (school staff, parents/caretakers, and students) in western Uganda to care for and support YLWHA in their schools. Methods The article utilizes data collected between May and October, 2019 from a qualitative inquiry based on focus group discussions and interviews with 88 school stakeholders purposively selected from 3 secondary schools in western Uganda. Textual data was analyzed thematically involving both inductive and deductive coding. Results We identified 7 overarching interrelated themes in which participants reported strategies to care for and support YLWHA: counselling and guidance; social support networks and linkages; knowledge and skills; anti-stigma and anti-discrimination measures; disclosure of HIV status; treatment and management of HIV/AIDS; and affirmative actions for YLWHA. Stakeholders’ strategies often differed regarding what was considered appropriate, the approach and who to take lead in supporting YLWHA. Conclusions Despite the limited care and support strategies specific for YLWHA currently available in schools, our study points to optimism and high potential given stakeholders’ identified avenues for improvement. We posit that promoting HIV/AIDS-care and support in schools is a gradual process requiring each school to develop a strong knowledge base about HIV/AIDS and support needs of YLWHA, develop a coherent and school-wide approach, and collaborate extensively with external stakeholders who are significant in supporting YLWHA.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document