TY - JOUR
T1 - HIV+ and HIV- youth living in group homes in South Africa need more psychosocial support
AU - Nestadt, D. F.
AU - Alicea, S.
AU - Petersen, I.
AU - John, S.
AU - Myeza, N. P.
AU - Nicholas, S. W.
AU - Cohen, L. G.
AU - Holst, H.
AU - Bhana, A.
AU - McKay, M. M.
AU - Abrams, E. J.
AU - Mellins, C. A.
N1 - Funding Information:
This research was supported by grants from the National Institute of Nursing Research (NINR grant no. 5R21NR10474; PI: Claude Ann Mellins, PhD) and the MTCT-Plus Initiative at ICAP-Columbia University. The MTCT-Plus Initiative is supported through funding provided by the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation, the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation, the John D. and Catherine T. MacArthur Foundation, the David and Lucile Packard Foundation, the Rockefeller Foundation, and the Starr Foundation. The research was also supported by a center grant from the National Institute of Mental Health to the HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies at the New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University (P30-MH43520; Principal Investigator: Anke A. Ehrhardt, PhD).
PY - 2013/9
Y1 - 2013/9
N2 - Orphans and vulnerable youth who live in group homes are at risk of poor mental health and sexual and drug-using behaviors that increase the risk of HIV transmission. This study explores factors related to this risk among youth living in group homes ("children's homes") for orphans and vulnerable children in South Africa, a country afflicted by high levels of parental loss due to HIV. The study explores (1) knowledge and attitudes about HIV, (2) social support, (3) communication with group home caregivers, and (4) the relevance of an existing evidence-based HIV prevention and mental health promotion program to situations where sexual and drug risk behaviors can occur. In-depth qualitative individual interviews were conducted with 20 youth (age 10-16 years) residing in two children's homes in Durban, South Africa. Content analysis focused on critical themes related to coping and prevention of risk activities. Respondents exhibited inconsistent and incomplete knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention. They displayed positive attitudes toward people living with HIV, but reported experiencing or witnessing HIV-related stigma. Participants witnessed substance use and romantic/sexual relationships among their peers; few admitted to their own involvement. While relationships with childcare workers were central to their lives, youth reported communication barriers related to substance use, sex, HIV, and personal history (including parental loss, abuse, and other trauma). In conclusion, these qualitative data suggest that evidence-based HIV prevention programs that bring caregivers and youth together to improve communication, HIV knowledge, social support, youth self-esteem, and health care, reduce sexual and drug risk behaviors, and strengthen skills related to negotiating situations of sexual and substance use possibility could benefit youth and childcare workers in children's homes.
AB - Orphans and vulnerable youth who live in group homes are at risk of poor mental health and sexual and drug-using behaviors that increase the risk of HIV transmission. This study explores factors related to this risk among youth living in group homes ("children's homes") for orphans and vulnerable children in South Africa, a country afflicted by high levels of parental loss due to HIV. The study explores (1) knowledge and attitudes about HIV, (2) social support, (3) communication with group home caregivers, and (4) the relevance of an existing evidence-based HIV prevention and mental health promotion program to situations where sexual and drug risk behaviors can occur. In-depth qualitative individual interviews were conducted with 20 youth (age 10-16 years) residing in two children's homes in Durban, South Africa. Content analysis focused on critical themes related to coping and prevention of risk activities. Respondents exhibited inconsistent and incomplete knowledge of HIV transmission and prevention. They displayed positive attitudes toward people living with HIV, but reported experiencing or witnessing HIV-related stigma. Participants witnessed substance use and romantic/sexual relationships among their peers; few admitted to their own involvement. While relationships with childcare workers were central to their lives, youth reported communication barriers related to substance use, sex, HIV, and personal history (including parental loss, abuse, and other trauma). In conclusion, these qualitative data suggest that evidence-based HIV prevention programs that bring caregivers and youth together to improve communication, HIV knowledge, social support, youth self-esteem, and health care, reduce sexual and drug risk behaviors, and strengthen skills related to negotiating situations of sexual and substance use possibility could benefit youth and childcare workers in children's homes.
KW - HIV
KW - South Africa
KW - children's homes
KW - orphans
KW - social support
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U2 - 10.1080/17450128.2012.748949
DO - 10.1080/17450128.2012.748949
M3 - Article
AN - SCOPUS:84882725119
SN - 1745-0128
VL - 8
SP - 195
EP - 205
JO - Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies
JF - Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies
IS - 3
ER -