Process evaluation of an intervention to improve HIV treatment outcomes among children and adolescents.

Journal: Public health action

Volume: 12

Issue: 3

Year of Publication: 

Affiliated Institutions:  Health Services Research and Policy, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK. Global Health Department, London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, London, UK. Million Memory Project Zimbabwe, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. AIDS and TB Unit, Ministry of Health and Child Care, Harare, Zimbabwe. Health Services Department, Bulawayo City Health, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. Biomedical Research and Training Institute, Harare, Zimbabwe. Ministry of Health and Child Care, Gwanda, Zimbabwe.

Abstract summary 

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.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.We drew upon: 1) semi-structured interviews ( = 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).Forty-one children received at least a part of the intervention. Of those whose viral load was tested, 26 ( = 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.This intervention was helpful in supporting HIV treatment adherence among adolescents and children. Facilitators and barriers may be useful in developing future interventions.

Authors & Co-authors:  Seguin M M Dringus S S Chiomvu S S Apollo T T Sibanda E E Simms V V Bernays S S Chikodzore R R Redzo N N Mlilo P P Ndlovu L L Nzombe P P Ncube B B Kranzer K K Abbas Ferrand R R Chikwari C D CD

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  United Nations Childrens’ Fund Just over half of children under 15 years of age living with HIV are on antiretroviral medications. New York, NY, USA: UNICEF; 2020. https://data.unicef.org/topic/hivaids/paediatric-treatment-and-care/
Authors :  16
Identifiers
Doi : 10.5588/pha.22.0009
SSN : 2220-8372
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Other Terms
adherence;antiretroviral therapy;community health workers
Study Design
Study Approach
,Quantitative
Country of Study
Publication Country
France