Psychosocial Support Programme Improves Adherence and Health Systems Experiences for Adolescents on Antiretroviral Therapy in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa
Bibliographic Data
| ID | 15484475 |
|---|---|
| Authors | Emeka Francis Okonji (0000-0002-3499-6948, University of the Western Cape, corresponding author), Brian Van Wyk (0000-0003-1032-1847, University of the Western Cape), Gail Hughes (University of the Western Cape), Ferdinand C Mukumbang (0000-0003-1441-2172, University of Washington) |
| Year | 2022 |
| Volume | 19 |
| Issue | 23 |
| Pages | 15468-15468 |
| Publication date | 2022-11-22 |
| Peer Reviewed | Yes |
| Open Access | Yes |
| Type | ARTICLE |
| Venue | International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (JOURNAL) |
| Journal identifiers | ISSN: 1661-7827 • E-ISSN: 1660-4601 |
| Publisher | Multidisciplinary Digital Publishing Institute (PUBLISHER • CH) |
| DOI | 10.3390/ijerph192315468 |
| PMID | 36497544 |
| OpenAlex | W4309714122 |
| Language | EN |
| Citations received | 3 |
| References cited | 16 |
(1) Background: Psychosocial support (PSS) plays a significant role in persistent adherence to and retention in antiretroviral therapy (ART) for adolescents living with the human immunodeficiency virus (ALHIV). This paper qualitatively explores the experiences of ALHIV on ART, who participated in a PSS programme in five public primary healthcare facilities in Mpumalanga Province in South Africa during the COVID-19 pandemic. (2) Methods: Data were collected through 24 focus group discussions with 173 ALHIV on ART and subjected to inductive thematic analysis. Informed consent was obtained before all data collection. (3) Results: The PSS programme facilitated the process of full HIV disclosure to these adolescents with the support of parents/guardians while motivating adherence through peer support groups and health education for improved treatment literacy. Participants reported positive health systems experiences, improved healthcare provider-client relations, and prompt access to health services. (4) Conclusions: The PSS programme successfully kept ALHIV engaged in ART care despite the health service disruptions encountered during the COVID-19 pandemic. We recommend rigorous evaluation of the effects of the PSS intervention on adherence to and retention in ART among ALHIV in HIV-endemic settings
Antiretroviral therapy · Environmental health · Family medicine · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Psychiatry · Psychosocial · Psychosocial support · Psychotherapist · Social support · Viral load · Adolescent and Pediatric Healthcare · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Psychology
A Qualitative Inquiry into the Realities of Caregivers Caring for Children Living with HIV in South Africa
Peer providers delivering health and wellbeing services for adolescents and youth – a scoping review of implementation experience and impact from Eastern and Southern Africa
Interventions Supporting Disclosure Among Children and Adolescents Living with HIV
Inductive Content Analysis
Mental health challenges among adolescents living with HIV
Enhancing transparency in reporting the synthesis of qualitative research
Social Support and Disclosure as Predictors of Mental Health in HIV-Positive Youth
Epidemiology of HIV and Aids Among Adolescents
Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (Coreq)
Two-year retention in care for adolescents on antiretroviral therapy in Ehlanzeni district, South Africa
HIV disclosure and its effect on treatment outcomes in perinatal HIV-infected Thai children
Predictors of adherence to antiretroviral treatment and therapeutic success among children in South Africa
Psychological well-being and adherence to antiretroviral therapy among adolescents living with HIV in Zambia
Analysis of the social and psychosocial factors associated with adherence to antiretroviral therapy in adolescents with perinatal HIV-1 infection in Panama from a gender perspective
Adherence to antiretroviral therapy and its associated factors among children at South Wollo Zone Hospitals, Northeast Ethiopia
Disclosure, Social Support, and Mental Health are Modifiable Factors Affecting Engagement in Care of Perinatally-HIV Infected Adolescents
Correlates of Adherence to Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV-Infected Children in Lomé, Togo, West Africa
Examining the relationship of social support and family cohesion on ART adherence among HIV-positive adolescents in southern Uganda
| Unique citing works | 3 |
|---|---|
| Citations per year | 3 |
| Citation span | 2026 - 2026 (1) |
| Citation velocity | current |
| Highly cited | No |
| Citation types | Neutral: 3 |