Adherence and viral load camps.
Adherence to Antiretroviral drugs (ARVs) is one of the biggest challenges HIV-positive adolescents and young people face. They are challenged with pill burden, fatigue, disclosure issues, stigma and discrimination. Adolescents are in a critical stage where they seek independence and this alone affects not only their drug adherence but clinical appointment keeping as well, they seem to be adults yet still children hence seeking independence from their parents/ caretakers which in the long run affects their adherence and viral load. To respond to that, we have conducted 6 camps since 2017 with 240 unsuppressed adolescents and we have achieved over 85% viral load suppression post the camp. Some of our campers are now peer leaders at their health facilities supporting other adolescents and young people to overcome adherence challenges just like they did.
