In order to improve the follow-up of PLWHAs, on October 26, 2019 Service Yezu Mwiza through RAFG Activity project organized a "Focus group" activity for children and adolescents who have a detectable viral load and/or who are late in carrying out this examination. This review is very crucial in monitoring the effectiveness of ARV treatment and compliance.
Indeed, it’s in this category that there are more detectable viral load for various reasons: difficulties related to age (adolescence, not understanding the importance of taking daily medication), non-regular follow-up because most of the time they are taken by the school, serology that is not or communicated late to the child....
Focus group specific to children with detectable viral load
Out of 30 expected children and adolescents, 17 responded to the appointment. For the rest they will be visited during monthly meetings at different sites. The activity of this day is to take the vital parameters especially the weight for a possible dosage adjustment, the medical consultation, the reinforcement of the observance for children with detectable viral load and finally the sampling for the Viral load of the PLWHAs in need.
"I was born with HIV infection and knew about it when I was 11-12. As soon as I found out, I was angry with the doctors and especially with my parents because I am the only one who is HIV positive in my siblings That's how I made up my mind not to take those endless pills, so I had repeated infections. Thanks to the meetings with young people of my age organized by SYM, I not only noticed that I was not the only one, but also that those who take the treatment well are healthy and can hope for a better future. Since I have been taking the drugs well, I am in good health and I have regained hope. "Revealed a 22-year-old girl.
The focus group activity with the young people takes place once a quarter. Nevertheless, individualized interviews are regularly conducted according to the needs of each young person.
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