HIV-related Peer Support in Dar es Salaam: A Pilot Questionnaire Inquiry

Anneleen Kiekens,Fausta Mosha,Cedric Vanhoorebeeck,Maud De Hemptinne,Anne-Mieke Vandamme,Michael R Jordan,Edwin J Bernard,Joram Dehens,Michaël Galouchka,Saar Baert,Tim Dierckx,Magorzata Wyszkowska,Astrid Van Den Eede,Reinier Petrus Van Otzel,Jorge Ricardo Nova Blanco,Raphael Zozimus Sangeda,Kristof Theys

doi:10.11116/tdi2019.3.1

Abstract

Abstract HIV drug resistance (HIVDR) in Tanzania is a complex problem with many interconnected causes. Some important factors contributing to the selection of drug resistant viruses in people infected with HIV are stigma, poverty, poor health, illiteracy, and insufficient adherence to antiretroviral therapy. Several studies have suggested the implementation of peer support groups as a way to shift the workload associated with adherence support, antiretroviral therapy (ART) distribution, and HIV education away from the doctors to the people living with HIV (PLHIV) themselves. We conducted interviews with local PLHIV to investigate the desirability and feasibility of a peer support group in the Pasada and Kisarawe hospitals in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania. A standardized questionnaire was completed by 27 PLHIV in July and August 2017 at the time of a follow-up visit. In this cohort, major causes for missing a dose of ART are lack of support from family and friends and forgetfulness. Reasons for wanting to join <target target-type="page-num" id="p-2"/>a peer support group include psychological support, fighting stigma, and increasing education about their disease. Interestingly, several respondents linked HIV peer support to business support groups such as village community banks (VICOBA). These are informal microfinance groups meant to offer economic stability to individuals. As this link was made by PLHIV themselves, we suggest that it may be worthwhile to explore mixed financial and HIV peer support groups in which HIV education is provided for both HIV positive and negative members. Such groups may reduce the risk of infection and stigma and provide combined psychological, financial, and logistic support to PLHIV.

Highlights

Current antiretroviral therapy (ART) is capable of lifelong suppression of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), resulting in a patient life expectancy approaching that of the general population (Trickey, 2017)
Several respondents linked HIV peer support to business support groups such as village community banks (VICOBA). These are informal microfinance groups meant to offer economic stability to individuals. As this link was made by people living with HIV (PLHIV) themselves, we suggest that it may be worthwhile to explore mixed financial and HIV peer support groups in which HIV education is provided for both HIV positive and negative members
In this study we explored the opinions of PLHIV about the potential for introducing peer support groups led by peer experts in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

Summary

Introduction

Current antiretroviral therapy (ART) is capable of lifelong suppression of the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), resulting in a patient life expectancy approaching that of the general population (Trickey, 2017). The most important one is insufficient adherence to therapy resulting from several factors, such as limited drug availability, ineffective patient-doctor relationships, fear of stigmatization, side effects of the drugs, and treatment interruption due to disengagement from care (Altice, Mostashari, & Friedland, 2001; Van Tam, Pharris, Thorson, Alfven, & Larsson, 2011). Adressing these problems is not straightfordward, as each individual cause can be the result of a whole range of influencing factors that differ on an individual basis, by culture, healthcare center, etc. HIVDR is a “wicked” problem which requires a transdisciplinary and people-centered approach to solving it

Methods

Results

Conclusion