Supporting Teens with HIV: The CATS Initiative

The fight against HIV is still a big problem for global health. In 2021, about 1.5 million new cases of HIV were reported, which was way beyond the goal set by health organizations. Young adults and teens make up a growing number of those affected, and sadly, they are the only group whose death rates linked to HIV are actually going up. Even though many treatments are available, young people aged 10-19 are still among the top five causes of death.

Access to HIV treatment for teens is not great, and many young people struggle to stick with their medication. Pregnant teens and those in key populations have an even tougher time. To tackle these challenges, a new model called Community Adolescent Treatment Support (Cats) has emerged. This program is all about young people helping other young people manage their health better. It includes individuals aged 18-24 supporting those from 0 to 24 years old.

#Why This Matters

From 2005 to 2017, AIDS-related deaths dropped globally by 48%. However, for teens and young adults, those numbers went up by 50%. In Ghana, there were thousands of new infections among teens in 2020 alone. A big reason for this situation is that many young people don’t consistently take their HIV medication.

In some studies, it has been shown that having support from peers can improve how well young people manage their treatment. Unfortunately, Stigma and discrimination are still significant hurdles that can prevent young people from seeking the help they need. That’s why understanding and creating a supportive environment for adolescents living with HIV is so essential.

#The CATS Program

#What is CATS?

CATS is a clever approach aiming to support teens living with HIV. Think of it as a group of friends who understand what you’re going through. The program is designed to help young people get into treatment and stick with it. They work in pairs or small groups, where older teens offer help, support, and understanding to younger ones.

#Who’s Involved?

In the study, the focus was on three main groups of people:

1. Peer Supporters: Young adults who have experience living with HIV and are there to help others.
2. Clients: Other teens and young adults living with HIV seeking support and guidance.
3. Healthcare Workers: The medical staff who work with these young people in hospitals and clinics.

Getting a good mix of male and female participants for the study is crucial, but that has proven a bit tricky due to the limited number of male peer supporters.

#Research Methods

#Where Was the Study Done?

This study took place in two hospitals in Greater Accra, Ghana. These hospitals were chosen because they actively implemented the CATS program.

• LEKMA Hospital: This government facility has set days for adolescent services.
• Tema General Hospital: As the largest health center in Tema, it also focuses on adolescent care.

#How Was Data Collected?

The research used interviews to gather information. There were two types of interviews:

1. Key Informant Interviews: Healthcare workers shared their insights about the program.
2. In-Depth Interviews: Teens in the CATS program discussed their experiences.

The interviews helped to understand how the program works from multiple viewpoints.

#Who Participated in the Study?

In total, 16 participants took part, with an equal number of male and female clients. Peer supporters were mostly women, while healthcare workers included both genders. The majority of participants had basic education, while all healthcare workers had completed tertiary education.

#What Did They Find?

#The Benefits of CATS

The CATS program was found to be very helpful for teens living with HIV.

• Familiarity and Support: Teens felt more comfortable talking about their experiences with HIV among peers. This led to improved emotional support and better treatment adherence.
• Learning and Communication: Being part of CATS allowed young people to learn about HIV together and ask questions in a safe and fun environment.
• Flexibility in Care: Peer supporters could help with medication refills or appointments, making it easier for clients to stay on track with their treatment.

#Challenges Faced

While the CATS program showed promise, it faced challenges:

• Communication Issues: Sometimes, clients felt they were missing out on important meetings or updates.
• Financial Barriers: Some clients struggled with the costs associated with attending support sessions.
• Stigma: Fear of judgment from their communities made it hard for some young people to fully engage in the program.

#Acceptance of CATS

Most young people were positive about being a part of the CATS program. They appreciated the friendship and reassurance it provided. The program made them feel less isolated and more accepted, leading to a stronger sense of community.

• Technology Use: The program also utilized mobile health (mHealth) services. This means that messages and calls were used to keep in touch with clients, making it easier for them to ask for help when needed.
• Emotional Development: Many teens reported that joining CATS helped them become more comfortable with sharing their stories and feelings.

#What About Home Visits?

The idea of healthcare workers visiting clients at home was not popular among participants. Most expressed concerns about privacy. They worried that neighbors might find out they were living with HIV, which could lead to stigma and discrimination.

#Community Impact

The study highlighted the significant impact of community attitudes on how young people feel about HIV. Many participants mentioned that stigma and misunderstanding kept them from sharing their status or seeking help.

Healthcare workers in the CATS program are actively working on educating the community to break down barriers and promote understanding. They believe that community involvement is vital for making lasting changes and reducing stigma.

#Conclusion

The Community Adolescent Treatment Support program shows a lot of promise in helping young people living with HIV. It offers them a safe space, emotional support, and guidance to effectively manage their health. Despite facing challenges like stigma and communication issues, the positive feedback from participants indicates that the program meets a critical need for support among adolescents.

Moving forward, it’s essential to address the ongoing challenges so that more and more adolescents can benefit. Enhancing community education and reducing stigma will play a key role in helping young people feel more accepted and capable of managing their health and well-being.

In short, CATS is not just about medical treatment; it’s about building a community where teens can feel safe, supported, and empowered to take control of their lives.