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

Emeka Francis Okonji (), Brian van Wyk, Gail D. Hughes and Ferdinand C. Mukumbang
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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

IJERPH, 2022, vol. 19, issue 23, 1-24

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.

Keywords: adolescents living with HIV; psychosocial support; HIV; AIDS; adherence; retention (search for similar items in EconPapers)
JEL-codes: I I1 I3 Q Q5 (search for similar items in EconPapers)
Date: 2022
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