Original Research

Transitioning behaviourally infected HIVpositive young people into adult care: Experiences from the young person’s point of view

C Katusiime, R Parkes-Ratanshi, A Kambugu
Southern African Journal of HIV Medicine | Vol 14, No 1 | a98 | DOI: https://doi.org/10.4102/sajhivmed.v14i1.98 | © 2013 C Katusiime, R Parkes-Ratanshi, A Kambugu | This work is licensed under CC Attribution 4.0
Submitted: 12 December 2013 | Published: 26 February 2013

About the author(s)

C Katusiime, Department of Prevention, Care and Treatment, Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
R Parkes-Ratanshi, Department of Prevention, Care and Treatment, Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda
A Kambugu, Department of Research, Infectious Diseases Institute, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda

Abstract

Background. There is limited literature on the transition of young people living with HIV/AIDS (YPLHIV) from adolescent/young adult HIV care to adult HIV care in sub-Saharan Africa.

Objective. We aimed to share the experiences of HIV-seropositive young adults transitioning into adult care, to inform best practice for such transitioning.

Methods. We conducted a retrospective evaluation of the transition of 30 young adults aged ≥25 years from our adolescent/young adult HIV clinic at the Infectious Diseases Institute, Makerere University, Kampala, Uganda, to adult HIV healthcare services between January 2010 and January 2012.

Results. Six major themes emerged from the evaluation: (i) adjustment to adult healthcare providers, (ii) the adult clinic logistics, (iii) positive attributes of the adult clinic, (iv) transfer to other health centres, (v) perceived sense of stigma, and (vi) patient-proposed recommendations. A model for transitioning YPLHIV to adult care was proposed.

Conclusion. Th ere is a paucity of evidence to inform best practice for transitioning YPLHIV to adult care in resource-limited settings. Ensuring continuity in HIV care and treatment beyond young adult HIV programmes is essential, with provision of enhanced support beyond the transition clinic and youth-friendly approaches by adult-oriented care providers.

S Afr J HIV Med 2013;14(1):20-23. DOI:10.7196/SAJHIVMED.885

Keywords

transition; young adult; HIV

Metrics

Total abstract views: 3280
Total article views: 6648

 

Crossref Citations

1. The Challenge of and Opportunities for Transitioning and Maintaining a Continuum of Care Among Adolescents and Young Adults Living with HIV in Resource Limited Settings
Jennifer Jao, Lee Fairlie, David C. Griffith, Allison L. Agwu
Current Tropical Medicine Reports  vol: 3  issue: 4  first page: 149  year: 2016  
doi: 10.1007/s40475-016-0091-1