Perceptions of Strategies and Intervention Approaches for HIV Self-Management among Ugandan Adolescents: A Qualitative Study

The heightened vulnerability of adolescents to poor HIV care outcomes underscores the need for interventions that create and promote HIV self-management behavioral skills. Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) experience a complex array of physical, emotional, and social challenges that constrain thei...

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Bibliographic Details
Main Authors: Massy Mutumba PhD, MPH, BSN, Henry Mugerwa MBChB, MMED, Victor Musiime PhD, MBChB, MMED, Anudeeta Gautam BSc, Hellen Nakyambadde BSc, Christine Matama MPH, BSc, Rob Stephenson PhD, MSc
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: SAGE Publishing 2019-01-01
Series:Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care
Online Access:https://doi.org/10.1177/2325958218823246
Description
Summary:The heightened vulnerability of adolescents to poor HIV care outcomes underscores the need for interventions that create and promote HIV self-management behavioral skills. Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) experience a complex array of physical, emotional, and social challenges that constrain their self-care, but the majority of existing psychosocial programs focus primarily on medication adherence. Understanding adolescents’ self-care needs, challenges, and preferences is necessary for developing effective culturally relevant interventions. The involvement of caregivers and stakeholders is also critical to realizing positive self-care outcomes. This article presents the findings from focus group discussions with ALHIV, caregivers, and healthcare providers on self-care. The data were collected as part of formative research in the development of a self-management intervention for Ugandan ALHIV. Participants’ discussions on self-care strategies and intervention approaches provide valuable insights to guide the development of interventions to promote positive HIV care outcomes among Ugandan ALHIV.
ISSN:2325-9582