Identifying Essential Components of Effective HIV Teen Clubs in Namibia

Abstract

Teen clubs are psychosocial support groups based at health facilities that help adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) learn about their health and engage with their peers. Various nonprofit organizations have set up and funded these clubs in high HIV prevalence African countries to encourage ART adherence and healthy lifestyles among ALHIV. In Namibia, the first teen club was started by local health care workers in 2010. Given the recent push by the Ministry of Health and Social Services (MoHSS) to focus on ALHIV and ART adherence, there has been an increased interest in teen clubs. However, there has been no examinations of Namibian HIV teen clubs and the components required for establishing a sustained and successful teen club. Through twenty-eight interviews with health care workers (HCWs) around the country and observations of four teen club meetings, essential components and potential challenges of teen club implementation were identified. Results from this project were used to develop a “starter pack and activity guide” for future teen clubs in Namibia.