Seguin, M; Dringus, S; Chiomvu, S; Apollo, T; Sibanda, E; Simms, V; Bernays, S; Chikodzore, R; Redzo, N; Mlilo, P; +6 more... Ndlovu, L; Nzombe, P; Ncube, B; Kranzer, K; Abbas Ferrand, R; Chikwari, CD; (2022) Process evaluation of an intervention to improve HIV treatment outcomes among children and adolescents. Public health action, 12 (3). pp. 108-114. ISSN 2220-8372 DOI: https://doi.org/10.5588/pha.22.0009
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Abstract
SETTING: Children and adolescents with HIV encounter challenges in initiation and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). A community-based support intervention of structured home visits, aimed at improving initiation, adherence and treatment, was delivered by community health workers (CHWs) to children and adolescents newly diagnosed with HIV. OBJECTIVES: To 1) describe intervention delivery, 2) explore CHW, caregiver and adolescents' perceptions of the intervention, 3) identify barriers and facilitators to implementation, and 4) ascertain treatment outcomes at 12 months' post-HIV diagnosis. DESIGN: We drew upon: 1) semi-structured interviews (n = 22) with 5 adolescents, 11 caregivers and 6 CHWs, 2) 28 CHW field manuals, and 3) quantitative data for study participants (demographic information and HIV clinical outcomes). RESULTS: Forty-one children received at least a part of the intervention. Of those whose viral load was tested, 26 (n = 32, 81.3%) were virally suppressed. Interviewees felt that the intervention supported ART adherence and strengthened mental health. Facilitators to intervention delivery were convenience and rapport between CHWs and families. Stigma, challenges in locating participants and inadequate resources for CHWs were barriers. CONCLUSION: This intervention was helpful in supporting HIV treatment adherence among adolescents and children. Facilitators and barriers may be useful in developing future interventions.
Item Type | Article |
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Faculty and Department |
Faculty of Public Health and Policy > Public Health, Environments and Society Faculty of Epidemiology and Population Health > Dept of Infectious Disease Epidemiology & International Health (2023-) Faculty of Infectious and Tropical Diseases > Dept of Clinical Research |
PubMed ID | 36160722 |
Elements ID | 195166 |
Official URL | http://dx.doi.org/10.5588/pha.22.0009 |