1 Outcomes of a psychosocial support programme for HIV- infected young women R. Phillip Newlands Clinic, Harare, Zimbabwe

ZIMBABWE AIDS CARE FOUNDATION NEWLANDS CLINIC R. Phillip Newlands Clinic, Harare, Zimbabwe Outcomes of a psychosocial support programme for HIV-infected young women

3 Introduction: Newlands Clinic Nurse-led, doctor supervised HIV treatment centre in Harare, Zimbabwe Offers Comprehensive HIV treatment and care to patients 12.3% (n=702) of the clinic population are young women aged between 10 and 25 years 63 pregnancies have been recorded among the young women to date

4 Fiona’s Story

5 Observations/challenges experienced Unplanned pregnancies and marriages Financial instability Safe sex negotiation skills Domestic Violence Dealing with in-laws Parenting skills Poor adherence

6 Goals 6 To train in vocational skills To provide peer mentoring to mothers To empower young women in legal matters To train young mothers in life skills

7 Description of the programme Continuous enrolment of women aged <25 years in relationships Members encouraged to attend meetings with their children Monthly support group meetings Facilitators have included nurses, pharmacists, lawyers, social scientist

8 Activities and training programmes Vocational training Soap making Candle making Life skills training Cooking – sharing healthy recipes Good hygiene Child minding Women’s rights Psychosocial support Adherence

9 Successes – Vocational training skills Bead makingTailoring 9

10 Successes – Treatment Outcomes 15 out of 26 women have maintained undetectable VL (<20 copies/ml) Post weaning HIV status has seen 16/17 children being HIV negative 10

11 Challenges Young women who fail to attend support group meetings due to Financial constraints Work commitment Not willing to be part of a social group Limited funding for some activities Lack of men involvement

12 Training of legal matters Private Voluntary Organization working on gender based violence matters To be able to identify when someone is being abused To know where to report cases of abuse Customary legal matters by a social scientist

13 Conclusion The young women support group at Newlands Clinic has proven to be part of the effective comprehensive care package

14 Recommendations To train the young women in other sustainable vocational skills for example back yard gardening To involve the men in a one day couples workshop

15 Acknowledgement Mr T Mudzviti Mr T Shamu Dr C Chimbetete Prof R Luthy Newlands Clinic Staff The young women

16 Thank you! 16