Utility of HIV support groups in advancing implementation research in resource-limited settings: experiences from an urban-setting HIV support group in Zimbabwe.

Support groups for people living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) have continued to evolve since their emergence over two decades ago. In addition to providing HIV education and fostering psychosocial support, recent efforts have shifted the focus to socio-economic activities and retentio...

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Publicado en:AIDS Research & Therapy Vol. 19; no. 1; pp. 1 - 11
Autores principales: Mazambara, Fine, Chagwena, Dexter, Mudzviti, Tinashe, Sithole, Samantha, Monera-Penduka, Tsitsi, Maponga, Charles C., Morse, Gene D.
Formato: research tables/charts Journal Article
Publicado: BioMed Central 2/14/2022
Acceso en línea:Ver este registro en EBSCOhost
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        10.1186/s12981-022-00431-w
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        atl: Utility of HIV support groups in advancing implementation research in resource-limited settings: experiences from an urban-setting HIV support group in Zimbabwe.
      aug:
        au:
          Mazambara, Fine
          Chagwena, Dexter
          Mudzviti, Tinashe
          Sithole, Samantha
          Monera-Penduka, Tsitsi
          Maponga, Charles C.
          Morse, Gene D.
        affil: Department of Pharmacy and Pharmaceutical Sciences, International Pharmacotherapy Education and Research Initiative, University of Zimbabwe - Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, P.O. Box A178, Avondale, Harare, Zimbabwe
      sug:
        subj:
          HIV Infections Prevention and Control
          Preventive Health Care
          Research, Medical
          Support Groups Utilization
          Research Subject Recruitment Methods
          Program Evaluation
          Urban Areas
          Resource-Limited Settings
          Human
          Zimbabwe
          Implementation Science
          Health Promotion
          Peer Group
          Research Subject Retention
          Support, Psychosocial
          Patient Compliance Education
          Employment
          Nutrition
      ab: Support groups for people living with the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) have continued to evolve since their emergence over two decades ago. In addition to providing HIV education and fostering psychosocial support, recent efforts have shifted the focus to socio-economic activities and retention in care. The sense of urgency to adopt new treatment and prevention strategies in sub-Saharan Africa necessitates greater engagement of established HIV care programs, especially among researchers seeking to conduct implementation research, promote prevention strategies and optimize treatment as prevention. To maximize the utility of support groups in doing so, efforts to create an organized, collaborative framework should be considered. This paper aims to describe the process of refocusing an adult HIV peer-support group and illustrate how a structured program was strengthened to sustain implementation research in resource-limited settings, while promoting patient recruitment and retention. A multidisciplinary team of scientists supporting an HIV peer-support group spearheaded the implementation process that authored the successes, challenges and lessons documented over eight years. Psychosocial support, nutrition care and support, adherence education and income generating projects were the main interventions employed. The initiative resulted in seven peer-reviewed publications, submission of 23 scientific abstracts, scientific dissemination at 12 international conferences. Eleven research studies and 16 income generating projects were successfully conducted over eight years. More than 900 patients participated in peer-support group activities every month and 400 were engaged in income generating activities. This multidisciplinary structured program was valuable in the retention and recruitment of patients for implementation research and benefits extended to psychosocial support, microeconomic projects, and improved nutrition. The support group contributed to strengthening implementation research through providing a platform for identification of research priorities, patient recruitment and retention in studies and dissemination of research findings.
      pubtype: Academic Journal
      doctype:
        research
        tables/charts
        Journal Article
      ougenre: Article
    language: English
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