In-Clinic Adolescent Peer Group Support for Engagement in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Feasibility and Acceptability Trial

• Main Authors: David Barker PhD, Anthony Enimil MBcHB, Omar Galárraga PhD, Dennis Bosomtwe BAC, Nicholas Mensah BSc, Sneha Thamotharan PhD, Esther Henebeng BS, Larry Brown MD, Awewura Kwara MD
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: SAGE Publishing 2019-03-01
• Series: Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care
• Online Access: https://doi.org/10.1177/2325958219835786

Holding support groups with the same cohort of adolescents during clinic visits promises to increase engagement in care. Participants (N = 35 patients, aged 12-18, 50% female, from an adolescent HIV clinic in Kumasi, Ghana, were divided into 5 teams. Clinic visits were coordinated for members of each team. Team members participated in group discussions and activities while waiting to meet with their medical team. Teams met quarterly for 1 year. Participants reported benefits from talking with peers about the challenges of managing HIV. Clinic attendance improved from the preceding year (54% versus 84%). There were reductions in perceived internal stigma, perceived external stigma, worries about unintended disclosure from taking antiretroviral therapy (ART), and reduced ART concerns. The program demonstrated the feasibility, safety, and acceptability of facilitating increased interaction among adolescents living with HIV during clinic visits. Improvements in clinic attendance, perceived stigma, and concern about medications suggest that the intervention is a promising candidate for additional study.