Psychosocial support interventions for improved adherence and retention in ART care for young people living with HIV (10–24 years): a scoping review

Abstract

Background Mental health disorders such as high levels of anxiety, isolation, depression and suicide ideation reported among young people living with HIV (10–24 years;YPLHIV) contribute significantly to poor medication adherence and retention in care. While there is evidence supporting the role of psychosocial support interventions in promoting adherence and retention in antiretroviral treatment (ART) among adults living with HIV, there is little evidence on the role of psychosocial support on medication adherence among YPLHIV. This scoping review was designed to identify and classify the types and effects of psychosocial support interventions designed to improve adherence and retention in ART among YPLHIV globally. Method We searched six electronic databases (i.e., Scopus, Pubmed and EBSCOHost (Academic Search Premier, CINAHL, Psycarticles and Medline). Six relevant articles published between 2011 and 2019 met our inclusion criteria. We extracted information relevant to the nature and outcomes of the reported interventions using thematic content analysis informed by the Population, Intervention, comparison, outcome, and time (PICOT) framework. Results Four distinctive treatment modalities that focused on improving ART adherence and retention in care were identified: individual counselling, support groups, family-centered services, and treatment supporters. Conclusion There is a dearth of psychosocial support interventions to improve adherence and retention in ART amongst adolescents and young adults living with HIV. Future research and programming should seek to address psychosocial support interventions or approaches specifically designed to address the needs of YPLHIV. Trial registration PROSPERO: Registration CRD42018105057.

A Facility-based Family Support Intervention to Improve Treatment Outcomes for Adolescents on Antiretroviral Therapy in the Cape Metropole, South Africa

“…11,12 Our review of psychosocial support interventions for improved adherence and retention in care for ALHIV indicate promising results from 2 interventions with family-centered services namely the family day clinic (FDC) and the VUKA family programme. 13 Both of these interventions involved multiple components including counseling services with ALHIV and their family members and health education workshops to improve retention in care and adherence among ALHIV. 13 Results from both interventions show a significant increase in adherence among ALHIV compared to the control groups.…”

“…13 Both of these interventions involved multiple components including counseling services with ALHIV and their family members and health education workshops to improve retention in care and adherence among ALHIV. 13 Results from both interventions show a significant increase in adherence among ALHIV compared to the control groups. However, reports from the FDC showed no effect on retention in care between the control group and the intervention group.…”

Adherencia al tratamiento en personas que viven con VIH: vínculos entre el modelo explicativo, los motivos y las prácticas

“…In case of nonadherent patients with mental health and/or treatment motivation problems, psychosocial interventions, such as individual counseling, support groups, and family-centered services and networks, are required to facilitate treatment retention (36). When providing care to the most vulnerable groups, group interventions should not only promote adherence but also reduce the stigma and their mistrust of healthcare personnel (37).…”

Khuluma: Using Participatory, Peer-Led and Digital Methods to Deliver Psychosocial Support to Young People Living With HIV in South Africa

“…For adolescents living with HIV (ALWH), the reciprocal nature of peer groups, supporters share their knowledge through lived experiences, provide hope, emotional, social, and instrumental support to their peers (33)(34)(35)(36), while simultaneously gaining comfort, strength, and healing from their own disclosures (36). The similarity in experiences between the peer leaders and beneficiaries allows discussion of common challenges and provides opportunities for support (5,(37)(38)(39)(40).…”