A multi-country study undertaken to explore and document the current psychosocial and sexual reproductive health needs of adolescents living with HIV in southern Africa has found that adolescents across Southern Africa face barriers to HIV prevention and treatment, contributing to increasing AIDS-related deaths in this age group. The regional study has highlighted areas where the current HIV response is failing young people, including in sexual health education, HIV prevention and support in adhering to treatment.
The report, released on the SAfAIDS website, aims to identify gaps between needs and available sexual and reproductive health and HIV-related initiatives. The research project was developed jointly by SAT, the Network of African People Living with HIV for Southern African Region (NAP+SAR), the International HIV/AIDS Alliance and Dignitas International. It was carried out in 2012 and 2013 across 16 sites in Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia and Zimbabwe.
Lack of education about sexual and reproductive health and HIV is still a major issue in many parts of southern Africa. The study also confirms that social and economic factors, including gender inequalities, family structure, low socio-economic status and living in rural areas are all associated with lower levels of school attendance and less access to health education.
Commenting on the study, Victor Chinyama, UNICEF spokesperson for Eastern and Southern Africa said, “Sub-Saharan Africa is home to nearly 90 per cent of all children living with HIV. Many of the children currently in adolescence were diagnosed with HIV before effective treatment was available and were not expected to survive beyond early childhood. Now we have these improved treatments yet health systems and HIV service providers have not improved and adapted their services to better meet the needs of this growing number of young people living with HIV.”
The stigma remains
Adolescents surveyed reported that one of the major reasons for stopping treatment is related to the stigma that still remains. This results in adolescents being unlikely to share their own experiences with others or disclose their status openly.
A 16-year-old Malawian boy shared his reluctance to collect HIV treatment from the health facility for fear of gossip from others at school. He said: “When they get to school they start telling people that l saw this one at the hospital, he was walking around with his file… He went in with an empty bag but came out with a full one, carrying medicine.”
Recommendations
- HIV and sexual and reproductive health service providers must use an integrated approach.
- There should be separate HIV services for adolescents, and particularly antiretroviral therapy clinics. These should ensure confidentiality.
- There should be specialised training for health services providers who work directly with adolescents.
- Using web-based technologies and mobile phones to send out supportive messages, health information and support for treatment adherence.
- Policies and guidelines on critical elements such as psychosocial support for adolescents living with HIV are urgently needed.
The study concludes that it is vital to involve young people in formulating policy on issues that affect them in order to reverse the rising tide of HIV infections amongst young people.
Click here to read the full article.
Leave a Reply