International Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health
ART adherence as HIV prevention among adolescents living with HIV in Ndola, Zambia
Taking antiretroviral (ARV) drugs as prescribed will suppress virus levels and reduce the transmission efficiency of HIV. Despite the importance of adherence as a care and prevention tool, there is a paucity of data and interventions that address ART adherence and HIV prevention behaviors among adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). This CFAR proposal will build upon an on-going study currently being conducted among 200 ALHIV in Ndola, Zambia. The overall purpose of this CFAR proposal is to solidify the elements needed to secure NIH funding to further build research skills in this area and assess the effectiveness of interventions to promote ART adherence among ALHIV. The specific CFAR proposal aims are to work in Zambia with ALHIV, their families and health clinics to:1) characterize ALHIV ART adherence levels and virological status; 2) adapt mental health, stigma and family-level measures among ALHIV; 3) design, using participatory methods, an adolescent ART adherence intervention; and 4) expand the study team’s network of adolescent ART clinics in Zambia. Data on these CFAR aims will augment the anticipated results of the on-going study and provide valuable evidence needed to secure independent funding.
