Coalition of Women Living with HIV and Aids (Cowlha) says an initiative they introduced to promote adherence to anti-retroviral treatment (ART) is encouraging people living with HIV not to default.
In 2019, Cowlha, with funding from Aidsfonds, introduced Thandizo Approach in Chikwawa, Mangochi and Chradzulu districts following results of a study conducted in 2018 focusing on determinants of ART adherence among young people living with HIV.
| Peter Gwazayani
Cowlha programmes manager Harry Madukani said they conducted the study against a background that in 2016, about 5 000 new HIV infections occurred among young people aged between 10 and 19, accounting for about 15 percent of new HIV infections in Malawi.
The study was reinforced by a co-creation session which sought to get information from young people aged between one and nine as well as between 10 and 24, regarding factors that determine their ART adherence.
“We introduced Thandizo Approach to explore options of scaling up the uptake of HIV treatment among young people,” said Madukani.
Thandizo Approach involves using a mobile application and taking on board youth support groups. The mobile application is a risk-assessment tool that community health volunteers use, which, among others, helps to provide information, advice and animation videos and referrals to health services.
Chikwawa district ART coordinator Marko Suzumire said the approach is an effective means to stop HIV infections among young people.
“Thandizo Approach has been helpful. Through Thandizo Approach, the youth who default on treatment are tracked and reminded about the importance of adherence to treatment,” he said.
Suzumire observed that young people face greater risks of dropping out of HIV treatment and care and stopping treatment than adults.
“The tool goes further to support young people with issues such as mental health,” he said.
