Positive change in HIV treatment & care for children & adolescents

CHIVA Africa's mentorship, teaching and training program addresses the current challenges faced in child and adolescent healthcare which includes maternal and child health, HIV/AIDS, TB, mental health, substance abuse, and universal access to sexual and reproductive health-care services. Notwithstanding the current progress in HIV prevention and treatment, challenges still remain in preventing new infections in children and adolescents; and supporting and treating HIV-infected children and adolescents.

Children are more vulnerable to being lost to follow-up than adults because they rely on their parents or caregivers to gain access to healthcare services and some carers are afraid to disclose a child's HIV status to the child, which has a negative effect on adherence. The lack of resources or skills for adequate testing, pediatric ARVs and child-friendly prevention programs mean children continue to become HIV infected and are not supported adequately. Children orphaned by AIDS also continue to face an increased risk of physical and emotional abuse as compared with other children, which increases these children's vulnerability to HIV.

Challenges in adolescent treatment includes denial and poor understanding of future benefits of treatment. Adolescents are less likely to present for testing or be tested for HIV infection. Young women are often diagnosed with HIV when presenting for an unplanned pregnancy, leading to the dual impact of a new diagnosis and an unplanned pregnancy.

CHIVA Africa's Sinikulwazi programme identifies measurable gaps, brings about real change, strengthens the health system and improves confidence in those that are providing treatment and care. The model is replicable and sustainable as it works within the ambit of the current healthcare system.