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Bernays, Sarah, Tshuma, Maureen, Willis, Nicola, Mvududu, Kudzanayi, Chikeya, Adrian, Mufuka, Juliet, Cowan, Frances 
ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-3087-4422 and Mavhu, Webster ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1881-4398
(2020)
'Scaling up peer-led community-based differentiated support for
adolescents living with HIV: keeping the needs of youth peer
supporters in mind to sustain success'. Journal of the International AIDS Society, Vol 23, Issue S5, e25570.
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Zvandiri CATS paper.pdf - Accepted Version Available under License Creative Commons Attribution. Download (234kB) | Preview |
Abstract
Introduction
Low rates of viral suppression among adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) indicate that more effective support is urgently required at scale. The provision of peer support has generated considerable enthusiasm because it has the potential to ameliorate the complex social and relational challenges which underpin suboptimal adherence. Little is known about the impact on young peer supporters themselves, which is the focus of this paper.
Methods
We present qualitative findings from the Zvandiri trial investigating the impact of a peer support intervention on the viral load for beneficiaries (ALHIV, aged 13 to 19 years) in Zimbabwe. The Zvandiri peer supporters aged 18 to 24 years, known as community adolescent treatment supporters (CATS), are themselves living with HIV. Individual in‐depth interviews were conducted in late 2018 with 17 CATS exploring their experiences of delivering peer support and their own support needs. Interviews were analysed iteratively using thematic analysis.
Results
The CATS reported that being peer supporters improved their own adherence behaviour and contributed to an improved sense of self‐worth. The social connections between the CATS were a source of comfort and enabled them to develop skills to manage the challenging aspects of their work. Two substantial challenges were identified. First, their work may reveal their HIV status. Second, managing the emotional labour of this caring work; given how commonly the complexity of the beneficiaries’ needs mirrored the circumstances of their own difficult lives. Both challenges were ameliorated by the support the CATS provided to each other and ongoing supervision from the adult mentor. There was variation in whether they felt their roles were appropriately valued through the remuneration they received and within the health system. There was a consensus that their experience meant that they would graduate from being a CATS with transferable skills that could enhance their employability.
Conclusions
Their experiences illustrate the advantages and opportunities of being a CATS. To minimize potential harms, it is vital to ensure that they feel valued in their role, which can be demonstrated by the provision of appropriate remuneration, recognition and respect, and that there is continued investment in ongoing support through ongoing training and mentoring.
| Item Type: | Article |
|---|---|
| Additional Information: | Special Issue: Shifting paradigms: holistic and empowering approaches for adolescent HIV. Guest Editor: Moherndran Archary, Audrey E Pettifor, Elona Toska |
| Subjects: | WA Public Health > Health Administration and Organization > WA 546 Local Health Administration. Community Health Services WC Communicable Diseases > Virus Diseases > Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome. HIV Infections > WC 503 Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. HIV infections WS Pediatrics > By Age Groups > WS 460 Adolescence (General) |
| Faculty: Department: | Clinical Sciences & International Health > International Public Health Department |
| Digital Object Identifer (DOI): | https://doi.org/10.1002/jia2.25570 |
| Depositing User: | Rachel Dominguez |
| Date Deposited: | 03 Sep 2020 13:47 |
| Last Modified: | 02 Nov 2020 11:47 |
| URI: | https://archive.lstmed.ac.uk/id/eprint/15246 |
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