IDEAS home Printed from https://ideas.repec.org/a/gam/jijerp/v19y2022i23p15468-d980627.html
   My bibliography  Save this article

Psychosocial Support Programme Improves Adherence and Health Systems Experiences for Adolescents on Antiretroviral Therapy in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa

Author

Listed:
  • Emeka Francis Okonji

    (School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa)

  • Brian van Wyk

    (School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa)

  • Gail D. Hughes

    (Medical Biosciences Department, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa)

  • Ferdinand C. Mukumbang

    (School of Public Health, University of the Western Cape, Cape Town 7535, South Africa
    Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, WA 98195, USA)

Abstract

(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.

Suggested Citation

  • Emeka Francis Okonji & Brian van Wyk & Gail D. Hughes & Ferdinand C. Mukumbang, 2022. "Psychosocial Support Programme Improves Adherence and Health Systems Experiences for Adolescents on Antiretroviral Therapy in Mpumalanga Province, South Africa," IJERPH, MDPI, vol. 19(23), pages 1-24, November.
    • Handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:23:p:15468-:d:980627
    as

    Download full text from publisher

    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/23/15468/pdf
    Download Restriction: no
    File URL: https://www.mdpi.com/1660-4601/19/23/15468/
    Download Restriction: no
    ---><---

    References listed on IDEAS

    as
    1. Jessica E Haberer & Adrian Cook & A Sarah Walker & Marjorie Ngambi & Alex Ferrier & Veronica Mulenga & Cissy Kityo & Margaret Thomason & Desiree Kabamba & Chifumbe Chintu & Diana M Gibb & David R Bang, 2011. "Excellent Adherence to Antiretrovirals in HIV+ Zambian Children Is Compromised by Disrupted Routine, HIV Nondisclosure, and Paradoxical Income Effects," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 6(4), pages 1-8, April.
    Full references (including those not matched with items on IDEAS)

    Most related items

    These are the items that most often cite the same works as this one and are cited by the same works as this one.
    1. Pierre Zalagile Akilimali & Patou Masika Musumari & Espérance Kashala-Abotnes & Patrick Kalambayi Kayembe & François B Lepira & Paulin Beya Mutombo & Thorkild Tylleskar & Mapatano Mala Ali, 2017. "Disclosure of HIV status and its impact on the loss in the follow-up of HIV-infected patients on potent anti-retroviral therapy programs in a (post-) conflict setting: A retrospective cohort study fro," PLOS ONE, Public Library of Science, vol. 12(2), pages 1-13, February.

    Corrections

    All material on this site has been provided by the respective publishers and authors. You can help correct errors and omissions. When requesting a correction, please mention this item's handle: RePEc:gam:jijerp:v:19:y:2022:i:23:p:15468-:d:980627. See general information about how to correct material in RePEc.

    If you have authored this item and are not yet registered with RePEc, we encourage you to do it here. This allows to link your profile to this item. It also allows you to accept potential citations to this item that we are uncertain about.

    If CitEc recognized a bibliographic reference but did not link an item in RePEc to it, you can help with this form .

    If you know of missing items citing this one, you can help us creating those links by adding the relevant references in the same way as above, for each refering item. If you are a registered author of this item, you may also want to check the "citations" tab in your RePEc Author Service profile, as there may be some citations waiting for confirmation.

    For technical questions regarding this item, or to correct its authors, title, abstract, bibliographic or download information, contact: MDPI Indexing Manager (email available below). General contact details of provider: https://www.mdpi.com .

    Please note that corrections may take a couple of weeks to filter through the various RePEc services.

    IDEAS is a RePEc service. RePEc uses bibliographic data supplied by the respective publishers.