HIV+ and HIV– youth living in group homes in South Africa need more psychosocial support

Dados Bibliográficos

ID12893441
AutoresDanielle Friedman Nestadt (0000-0002-7771-9916, Columbia University, autor correspondente), Sonia Alicea (New York State Psychiatric Institute), Inge Petersen (0000-0001-8057-8336, University of KwaZulu-Natal), Sally John (0000-0002-8645-6572, McCord Hospital), Nonhlahla Myeza (McCord Hospital), Stephen W Nicholas (Columbia University), Leland Cohen, Helga Holst (McCord Hospital), Arvin Bhana (0000-0003-4235-0108, Human Sciences Research Council), Mary M Mckay (0000-0003-4683-6033, New York University), Elaine J Abrams (0000-0001-7938-8981, Columbia University), Claude Ann Mellins (0000-0002-1978-7638, New York State Psychiatric Institute)
Ano2013
Volume8
Fascículo3
Páginas195-205
Data de publicação2013-01-15
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoVulnerable Children and Youth Studies (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 1745-0136 • E-ISSN: 1745-0128
EditoraRoutledge (PUBLISHER • GB)
DOI10.1080/17450128.2012.748949
PMID24039626
PMCIDPMC3769796
OpenAlexW2002618471
IdiomaEN
Citações recebidas8
Referências citadas20

Orphans and vulnerable youth who live in group homes are at risk of poor mental health and sexual and drug-using behaviors that increase the risk of HIV transmission. This study explores factors related to this risk among youth living in group homes ("children's homes") for orphans and vulnerable children in South Africa, a country afflicted by high levels of parental loss due to HIV. The study explores 1) knowledge and attitudes about HIV, 2) social support, 3) communication with group home caregivers, and 4) the relevance of an existing evidence-based HIV prevention and mental health promotion program to situations where sexual and drug risk behaviors can occur. In-depth qualitative individual interviews were conducted with 20 youth (age 10 to 16 years) residing in two children's homes in Durban, South Africa. Content analysis focused on critical themes related to coping and prevention of risk activities. Respondents exhibited inconsistent and incomplete knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention. They displayed positive attitudes toward people living with HIV, but reported experiencing or witnessing HIV-related stigma. Participants witnessed substance use and romantic/sexual relationships among their peers; few admitted to their own involvement. While relationships with childcare workers were central to their lives, youth reported communication barriers related to substance use, sex, HIV, and personal history (including parental loss, abuse, and other trauma). In conclusion, these qualitative data suggest that evidence-based HIV prevention programs that bring caregivers and youth together to improve communication, HIV knowledge, social support, youth self-esteem, and health care, reduce sexual and drug risk behaviors, and strengthen skills related to negotiating situations of sexual and substance use possibility could benefit youth and childcare workers in children's homes

Condom · Family medicine · Focus group · Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV · Mental health · Psychiatry · Psychosocial · Qualitative research · Social support · Substance abuse · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · Clinical Psychology · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · Psychology · Social Psychology · Gerontology