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Mukumbang FC, Beima-Sofie K, Neary J, Li H, Agot K, Healy E, Wilson KS, Badia J, Kibugi J, Inwani I, Chhun N, John-Stewart G, Kohler P, Shah SK. 'I feel that I should decide on my own….': who should be involved in the decision-making process for adolescent involvement in HIV research? BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e012966. [PMID: 37963612 PMCID: PMC10649498 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012966] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2023] [Accepted: 10/16/2023] [Indexed: 11/16/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Efforts to improve health outcomes among adolescents and young adults living with HIV (ALHs) are hampered by limited adolescent engagement in HIV-related research. We sought to understand the views of adolescents, caregivers and healthcare workers (HCWs) about who should make decisions regarding ALHs' research participation. METHODS We conducted focus group discussions (FGDs) and in-depth interviews (IDIs) with ALHs (aged 14-24 years), caregivers of ALHs and HCWs from six HIV care clinics in Western Kenya. We used semi-structured guides to explore ALHs' involvement in research decisions. Transcripts were analysed using thematic analysis; perspectives were triangulated between groups. RESULTS We conducted 24 FGDs and 44 IDIs: 12 FGDs with ALHs, 12 with caregivers, and 44 IDIs with HCWs, involving 216 participants. HCWs often suggested that HIV research decision-making should involve caregivers and ALHs deciding together. In contrast, ALHs and parents generally thought decisions should be made individually, whether by HCWs/research teams (although this is likely ethically problematic), adolescents or caregivers. Caregiver and ALH preferences depended on ALHs' age, with younger ALHs requiring more support. A few caregivers felt that ALHs should consult with the research team/HCWs due to their greater knowledge of clinical care. ALHs emphasised that they should independently decide because they thought they had the right to do so and the capacity to consent. Poor communication and parental non-disclosure of HIV status influenced ALHs' views to exclude caregivers from decision-making. Regarding influences on research decision-making, ALHs were more willing to participate based on perceived contribution to science and less interested in participating in studies with potential risks, including loss of confidentiality. DISCUSSION While research teams and HCWs felt that adolescents and caregivers should jointly make research decisions, ALHs and caregivers generally felt individuals should make decisions. As ALHs sometimes find caregiver support lacking, improving family dynamics might enhance research engagement.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kristen Beima-Sofie
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jillian Neary
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Huangqianyu Li
- Department of Health Services, University of Washington-Seattle Campus, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kawango Agot
- Impact Research and Development Organization, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Elise Healy
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Kate S Wilson
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Jacinta Badia
- Impact Research and Development Organization, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - James Kibugi
- Impact Research and Development Organization, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Irene Inwani
- University of Nairobi/Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Nok Chhun
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Grace John-Stewart
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- University of Nairobi/Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Pamela Kohler
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
- Department of Child, Family, and Population Health Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Seema K Shah
- University of Nairobi/Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
- Bioethics Program, Lurie Children's Hospital Chicago, Chicago, Illinois, USA
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Trapence CP, Kanyenda C, Muyila F, Ndarama EP, Suffrin D, Connolly E, Kachimanga C, Kulinkina AV. Impact of a teen club model on HIV outcomes among adolescents in rural Neno district, Malawi: a retrospective cohort study. BMJ Open 2023; 13:e069870. [PMID: 37586863 PMCID: PMC10432624 DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2022-069870] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/18/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To compare the impact of a teen club model to the standard care model on HIV treatment outcomes among adolescents (10-19 years of age). DESIGN Retrospective cohort study. SETTING HIV clinics in Neno district, Malawi. PARTICIPANTS Adolescents living with HIV enrolled in teen clubs (n=235) and matched participants in standard HIV care (n=297). OUTCOME MEASURES Attrition from HIV care, defined as a combination of treatment outcomes 'died', 'defaulted' and 'transferred out'. RESULTS Over a 4-year follow-up period, adolescents who participated in the teen club had a significantly higher likelihood of remaining in care than those who did not (HR=2.80; 95% CI: 1.46 to 5.34). Teen clubs also increased the probability of having a recent measured viral load (VL) and BMI, but did not change the probability of VL suppression. The age at antiretroviral treatment initiation below 15 years (aHR=0.37; 95% CI: 0.17 to 0.82) reduced the risk of attrition from HIV care, while underweight status (aHR=3.18; 95% CI: 1.71 to 5.92) increased the risk of attrition, after controlling for sex, WHO HIV staging and teen club participation. CONCLUSIONS The teen club model has the potential to improve treatment outcomes among adolescents in rural Neno district. However, in addition to retaining adolescents in HIV care, greater attention is needed to treatment adherence and viral suppression in this special population. Further understanding of the contextual factors and barriers that adolescents in rural areas face could further improve the teen club model to ensure high-quality HIV care and quality of life.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Fainala Muyila
- Ministry of Health, Neno District Health Office, Neno, Malawi
| | | | | | - Emilia Connolly
- Partners In Health, Neno, Malawi
- Division of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | | | - Alexandra V Kulinkina
- Swiss Tropical and Public Health Institute, Allschwil, Switzerland
- University of Basel, Basel, Switzerland
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Govere SM, Kalinda C, Chimbari MJ. The impact of same-day antiretroviral therapy initiation on retention in care and clinical outcomes at four eThekwini clinics, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. BMC Health Serv Res 2023; 23:838. [PMID: 37553685 PMCID: PMC10408100 DOI: 10.1186/s12913-023-09801-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/25/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2023] [Indexed: 08/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Same-day initiation (SDI) of antiretroviral therapy (ART) increases ART uptake, however retention in care after ART initiation remains a challenge. Public health behaviours, such as retention in HIV care and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) pose major challenges to reducing new Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) transmission and improving health outcomes among HIV patients. METHODS We evaluated 6-month retention in care, and clinical outcomes of an ART cohort comprising of SDI and delayed ART initiators. We conducted a 6 months' observational prospective cohort study of 403 patients who had been initiated on ART. A structured questionnaire was used to abstract data from patient record review which comprised the medical charts, laboratory databases, and Three Interlinked Electronic Registers.Net (TIER.Net). Treatment adherence was ascertained by patient visit constancy for the clinic scheduled visit dates. Retention in care was determined by status at 6 months after ART initiation. RESULTS Among the 403 participants enrolled in the study and followed up, 286 (70.97%) and 267 (66.25%) complied with scheduled clinics visits at 3 months and 6 months, respectively. One hundred and thirteen (28.04%) had been loss to follow-up. 17/403 (4.22%) had died and had been out of care after 6 months. 6 (1.49%) had been transferred to other health facilities and 113 (28.04%) had been loss to follow-up. Among those that had been lost to follow-up, 30 (33.63%) deferred SDI while 75 (66.37%) initiated ART under SDI. One hundred and eighty-nine (70.79%) participants who had remained in care were SDI patients while 78 (29.21%) were SDI deferred patients. In the bivariate analysis; gender (OR: 1.672; 95% CI: 1.002-2.791), number of sexual partners (OR: 2.092; 95% CI: 1.07-4.061), age (OR: 0.941; 95% CI: 0.734-2.791), ART start date (OR: 0.078; 95% CI: 0.042-0.141), partner HIV status (OR: 0.621; 95% CI: 0.387-0.995) and the number of hospitalizations after HIV diagnosis (OR: 0.173; 95% CI: 0.092-0.326). were significantly associated with viral load detection. Furthermore, SDI patients who defaulted treatment were 2.4 (95% CI: 1.165-4.928) times more likely to have increased viral load than those who had been returned in care. CONCLUSION Viral suppression under SDI proved higher but with poor retention in care. However, the results also emphasise a vital need, to not only streamline processes to increase immediate ART uptake further, but also to ensure retention in care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabina M Govere
- School of Nursing and Public Health, Discipline of Public Health Medicine, Howard College Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
| | - Chester Kalinda
- School of Nursing and Public Health, Discipline of Public Health Medicine, Howard College Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Bill and Joyce Cummings Institute of Global Health and Institute of Global Health Equity Research (IGHER), University of Global Health Equity Kigali Heights, Kigali, Rwanda
| | - Moses J Chimbari
- School of Nursing and Public Health, Discipline of Public Health Medicine, Howard College Campus, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa
- Department of Public Health, Great Zimbabwe University, P.O Box 1235, Masvingo, Zimbabwe
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Wilson K, Agot K, Dyer J, Badia J, Kibugi J, Bosire R, Neary J, Inwani I, Beima-Sofie K, Shah S, Chakhtoura N, John-Stewart G, Kohler P. Development and validation of a prediction tool to support engagement in HIV care among young people ages 10-24 years in Kenya. PLoS One 2023; 18:e0286240. [PMID: 37390119 PMCID: PMC10313055 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0286240] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/15/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 07/02/2023] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Loss to follow-up (LTFU) among adolescents and young adults living with HIV (AYALWH) is a barrier to optimal health and HIV services. We developed and validated a clinical prediction tool to identify AYALWH at risk of LTFU. METHODS We used electronic medical records (EMR) of AYALWH ages 10 to 24 in HIV care at 6 facilities in Kenya and surveys from a subset of participants. Early LTFU was defined as >30 days late for a scheduled visit in the last 6 months, which accounts for clients with multi-month refills. We developed a tool combining surveys with EMR ('survey-plus-EMR tool'), and an 'EMR-alone' tool to predict high, medium, and low risk of LTFU. The survey-plus-EMR tool included candidate sociodemographics, partnership status, mental health, peer support, any unmet clinic needs, WHO stage, and time in care variables for tool development, while the EMR-alone included clinical and time in care variables only. Tools were developed in a 50% random sample of the data and internally validated using 10-fold cross-validation of the full sample. Tool performance was evaluated using Hazard Ratios (HR), 95% Confidence Intervals (CI), and area under the curve (AUC) ≥ 0.7 for good performance and ≥0.60 for modest performance. RESULTS Data from 865 AYALWH were included in the survey-plus-EMR tool and early LTFU was (19.2%, 166/865). The survey-plus-EMR tool ranged from 0 to 4, including PHQ-9 ≥5, lack of peer support group attendance, and any unmet clinical need. High (3 or 4) and medium (2) prediction scores were associated with greater risk of LTFU (high, 29.0%, HR 2.16, 95%CI: 1.25-3.73; medium, 21.4%, HR 1.52, 95%CI: 0.93-2.49, global p-value = 0.02) in the validation dataset. The 10-fold cross validation AUC was 0.66 (95%CI: 0.63-0.72). Data from 2,696 AYALWH were included in the EMR-alone tool and early LTFU was 28.6% (770/2,696). In the validation dataset, high (score = 2, LTFU = 38.5%, HR 2.40, 95%CI: 1.17-4.96) and medium scores (1, 29.6%, HR 1.65, 95%CI: 1.00-2.72) predicted significantly higher LTFU than low-risk scores (0, 22.0%, global p-value = 0.03). Ten-fold cross-validation AUC was 0.61 (95%CI: 0.59-0.64). CONCLUSIONS Clinical prediction of LTFU was modest using the surveys-plus-EMR tool and the EMR-alone tool, suggesting limited use in routine care. However, findings may inform future prediction tools and intervention targets to reduce LTFU among AYALWH.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kate Wilson
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Kawango Agot
- Impact Research and Development Organization, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Jessica Dyer
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Jacinta Badia
- Impact Research and Development Organization, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - James Kibugi
- Impact Research and Development Organization, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Risper Bosire
- Impact Research and Development Organization, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Jillian Neary
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Irene Inwani
- University of Nairobi/Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Kristin Beima-Sofie
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Seema Shah
- Northwestern University Medical School/Bioethics Program at Lurie Children’s Hospital, Chicago, IL, United States of America
| | - Nahida Chakhtoura
- Eunice Kennedy Shriver National Institute of Child Health and Human Development, National Institutes of Health, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - Grace John-Stewart
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
| | - Pamela Kohler
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
- Department of Child, Family, Population Health Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, United States of America
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Munyayi FK, van Wyk BE. Determinants and rates of retention in HIV care among adolescents receiving antiretroviral therapy in Windhoek, Namibia: a baseline cohort analysis. BMC Public Health 2023; 23:458. [PMID: 36890540 PMCID: PMC9994767 DOI: 10.1186/s12889-023-15356-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/22/2022] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Long-term engagement in HIV care is essential to achieving and maintaining viral suppression. Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) experience many barriers to remaining engaged in care and treatment programs. Higher attrition among adolescents compared to adults remains a huge concern due to unique psychosocial and health systems challenges adolescents face, and recently the COVID-19 pandemic effects. We report on determinants and rates of retention in care in adolescents aged 10-19 years enrolled on antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Windhoek, Namibia. METHODS A retrospective cohort analysis of routine clinical data of 695 adolescents aged 10-19 years enrolled for ART at 13 Windhoek district public healthcare facilities, between January 2019 and December 2021 was conducted. Anonymized patient data were extracted from an electronic database and registers. Bivariate and Cox proportional hazards analysis were performed to determine factors associated with retention in care among ALHIV at 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months. Retention in care trends were also described using the Kaplan-Meier survival analysis. RESULTS The retention in care rates at 6, 12, 18, 24 and 36 months were 97.7%, 94.1%, 92.4%, 90.2%, and 84.6%, respectively. Our study population had predominantly treatment-experienced adolescents, who initiated ART between birth and 9 years (73.5%), were on treatment for > 24 months (85.0%), and on first-line ART (93.1%). After controlling for confounders, the risk of dropping out of care was increased for older adolescents aged 15-19 years (aHR = 1.964, 95% CI 1.033-3.735); adolescents on switched ART regimens (Second line + Third line regimen) (aHR = 4.024, 95% CI 2.021-8.012); adolescents who initiated ART at 15-19 years (aHR = 2.179, 95%CI 1.100-4.316); and male adolescents receiving ART at a PHC clinic (aHR = 4.322, 1.332-14.024). Conversely, the risk of ALHIV dropping out of care decreased for adolescents whose TB screen results were negative (aHR = 0.215, 95% CI 0.095-0.489). CONCLUSION Retention in care rates among ALHIV in Windhoek do not meet the UNAIDS revised target of 95%. Gender-specific interventions are needed to keep male and older adolescents motivated and engaged in long-term care, and to promote adherence amongst those adolescents who were initiated on ART in late adolescence (15-19 years).
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Affiliation(s)
- Farai K. Munyayi
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
| | - Brian E. van Wyk
- School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town, South Africa
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Mabizela S, Van Wyk B. Viral suppression among adolescents on HIV treatment in the Sedibeng District, Gauteng province. Curationis 2022; 45:e1-e8. [PMID: 36226955 PMCID: PMC9575385 DOI: 10.4102/curationis.v45i1.2312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2022] [Revised: 07/11/2022] [Accepted: 07/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Progress has been made to increase access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) for adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) to improve their survival, but ALHIV still have worse treatment adherence and viral suppression compared to adults and children. OBJECTIVE To determine the prevalence of viral suppression and the associated factors among adolescents aged 10-19 years on ART at an urban public primary healthcare facility in the Sedibeng district, Gauteng. METHOD A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 192 adolescents who were on ART for at least six months between 2015 and 2018. A self-developed data extraction tool was used to collect data from the Tier.Net electronic database and clinical folders. Data were captured on Microsoft Excel, and descriptive and inferential analyses were performed using SPSS 27 statistical software. RESULTS The median age at ART initiation of adolescents was 9.0 years (interquartile range [IQR]: 5.0-12.0), and the median duration on ART was 70.5 (IQR: 30.25-105.5) months. The prevalence of viral suppression ( 1000 copies/mL) among adolescents on ART was 74%, with 41% achieving full suppression ( 50 copies/mL). Those adolescents who reported optimal ART adherence were more likely to be virally suppressed compared to those who reported poor adherence (98.1% vs 25.0%; p ≤ 0.001). CONCLUSION Adolescent viral suppression of 74% is higher than in comparable sites, but still way too short of the UNAIDS target of 90%. We recommend adherence support for adolescents to achieve viral suppression.Contribution: The study highlights the urgent need for targeted adherence support interventions for adolescents living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy to improve rates of viral suppression to meet UNAIDS target of 95%.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sibongile Mabizela
- School of Public Health, Faculty of Community and Health Sciences, University of the Western Cape, Bellville.
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Kose J, Tiam A, Siamba S, Lenz C, Okoth E, Wolters T, van de Vijver D, Rakhmanina N. Clinical outcomes among adolescents living with HIV in Kenya following initiation on antiretroviral treatment. PLOS GLOBAL PUBLIC HEALTH 2022; 2:e0000094. [PMID: 36962291 PMCID: PMC10022018 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0000094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022]
Abstract
In Kenya, HIV/AIDS remains a leading cause of morbidity and mortality among adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV). Our study evaluated associations between demographic and healthcare factors and HIV treatment outcomes among ALHIV in care in Kenya. This retrospective cohort study evaluated the clinical outcomes of newly diagnosed ALHIV enrolled in HIV care during January 2017-June 2018 at 32 healthcare facilities in Homabay and Kakamega Counties. Demographic and clinical data were abstracted from patient clinical records and registers during the follow up study period January 2017-through May 2019. ALHIV were stratified by age (10-14 versus 15-19 years). Categorical variables were summarized using descriptive statistics; continuous variables were analyzed using mean values. The latest available treatment and virological outcomes for ALHIV were assessed. 330 ALHIV were included in the study (mean age 15.9 years; 81.8% female, 63.0% receiving HIV care at lower-level healthcare facilities). Most (93.2%) were initiated on ART within 14 days of diagnosis; 91.4% initiated EFV-based regimens. Of those on ART, only 44.6% were active on care at the end of the study period. Of those eligible for viral load testing, 83.9% were tested with 84.4% viral suppression rate. Retention in care was higher at higher-level facilities (67.5%) compared to lower-level facilities (28.6%). Factors associated with higher retention in care were school attendance (aRR = 1.453), receipt of disclosure support (aRR = 13.315), and receiving care at a high-level health facility (aRR = 0.751). Factors associated with viral suppression included older age (15-19 years) (aRR = 1.249) and pre-ART clinical WHO stage I/II (RR = .668). Viral suppression was higher among older ALHIV. Studies are needed to evaluate effective interventions to improve outcomes among ALHIV in Kenya.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith Kose
- Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Nairobi, Kenya
- Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Washington, DC, United States of America
- Department of Medical and Scientific Affairs, Washington, DC, United States of America
- ErasmusMC, Department of Viroscience, Rotterdam University, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Appolinaire Tiam
- Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Washington, DC, United States of America
- Department of Medical and Scientific Affairs, Washington, DC, United States of America
- University of Bergen, Centre for International Health, Bergen, Norway
| | - Stephen Siamba
- Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Cosima Lenz
- Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Washington, DC, United States of America
- Department of Medical and Scientific Affairs, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | | | - Theresa Wolters
- Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Washington, DC, United States of America
- Department of Medical and Scientific Affairs, Washington, DC, United States of America
| | - David van de Vijver
- ErasmusMC, Department of Viroscience, Rotterdam University, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Natella Rakhmanina
- Elizabeth Glaser Pediatric AIDS Foundation, Washington, DC, United States of America
- Department of Medical and Scientific Affairs, Washington, DC, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, The George Washington University, School of Medicine and Health Sciences, Washington, DC, United States of America
- Children's National Hospital, Washington, DC, United States of America
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Orth Z, van Wyk B. A Facility-based Family Support Intervention to Improve Treatment Outcomes for Adolescents on Antiretroviral Therapy in the Cape Metropole, South Africa. J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care 2021; 20:23259582211059289. [PMID: 34821168 PMCID: PMC8641108 DOI: 10.1177/23259582211059289] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Adolescents living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) (ALHIV) globally, report worse treatment outcomes compared to adults and children on antiretroviral therapy (ART). We conducted a photovoice study with eighteen ALHIV to explore experiences and challenges of being on ART, and individual interviews with 5 health workers to describe the challenges in treating ALHIV. The facility implemented the Family club intervention to facilitate caregivers (parent/guardians) supporting ALHIV on treatment. The health workers revealed that "disclosing HIV status" to children was the biggest challenge for caregivers and health workers. Participating ALHIV reported that family support and having a positive mentality were instrumental for continued treatment adherence. However, disclosure of HIV status to friends remained a challenge due to pervasive community stigma. Treatment fatigue and side-effects were also barriers to adherence. Family support was instrumental in facilitating adherence support for ALHIV. However, this (intervention) should include peer support to improve positive mental well-being in ALHIV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zaida Orth
- School of Public Health, 56390University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
| | - Brian van Wyk
- School of Public Health, 56390University of the Western Cape, Bellville, South Africa
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