IMPACT OF BLANTYRE TEEN
CLUB( BTC) ON THE LIVES OF
HIV- POSITIVE TEENS AND THEIR
GUARDIANS.
Munkhondya, B., Kapito, E., Chamanga, R.,
Chadza, E., Bwazi, C., Bultemeier, K. &
Ohare, B.
PRESENTATION OUTLINE
•
•
•
•
•
Introduction
Objectives
Methodology
Results & Discussion
Conclusion and recommendations
Introduction
• An estimated 91,000 children are living
with HIV in Malawi.
• Adolescents living with HIV/AIDS present
a unique challenge.
• Teen Club strategy combines activities
into a monthly event to help teens focus
on their health and wellbeing.
• Participation in this club is totally
voluntary.
BTC
provides a forum
for this vulnerable
population
to
work
through
their challenges
Study objective
• To examine the impact of the BTC on
teen living with HIV and their guardians
Specific
• To assess the impact of participation in the BTC
on lives of teens
• To assess the impact of participation in the BTC
on lives of guardians
• To identify challenges of guardians of HIV
positive teens in Blantyre
• To identify needs of guardians of HIV positive
teens
Methodology
• A descriptive, exploratory cross-sectional
study
• Study setting Blantyre, Moyo House,
• Study Population All guardians of BTC
• Sampling & Sample size
– Purposive sampling
– Sample size was 45
• Inclusion Criteria:
• Guardians aged 18 and over.
• All guardians who agreed to participate in the study
Methodology cont;
• Exclusion Criteria:
• Adults who were not guardians of a member of BTC and
• Guardians under 18 years.
• Data collected in July, 2011, Oral questionnaire
was administered & data analyzed using SPSSversion 16
– Descriptive statistics of sample characteristics
and frequency statistics from survey
responses were tabulated
– Content analysis was used for responses to
open-ended questions
Results
Characteristics of respondents
– Age range from 18-73 years
– Most of the guardians had been taking care of
the teens for more than a year (n=30)
– Occupation: 31% employed, 27% business,
13% local farming, 18% unemployed, 2%
local farm & business
Effect of teen meetings on medication adherence
100
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
improved drastically
no effect
effect of teen meetings on medication adherence
Effect of teen meetings on school performance
90
80
70
60
50
40
30
20
10
0
improved drastically
improved a little
no effect
effect ot teen meetings on school performance
slightly worse
Effect of teen meetings on social life
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
improved drastically
no effect
effect of teen meetings on social life
Effect of guardians meetings on life in the community
120
100
80
60
40
20
0
improved drastically
improved a little
effect of guardians meetings on life in the community
Major Challenges
– physical problems
• lack of financial resources
– Psychological problems
• Discrimination
• Emotional problems
Suggestions for improvement
• Generating income to overcome
financial problems
• Fighting against discrimination
• Teens to be involved in planning of the
topics to be discussed
Suggestions cont;
•
•
•
•
Exchange visits with other teen clubs
Field trips
Establishing support groups
Advocating for sponsorship for
continued meetings
Discussion
• Remarkable improvements in the lives of
teens and their guardians;
– intra-family communication and their social
life was positively impacted.
– improved understanding of the disease
process & acceptance
– improved medication & adherence
– improved school performance and an
increase in self-esteem for the teens.
Conclusion and recommendations
• Results indicate that guardians reported a
positive impact on their lives and those of
the HIV positive teens with participation in
the Teen Club.
• Further studies are needed to examine the
experience from the perspective of the
teens.
• Expansion of teen clubs to other areas of
Malawi is needed to offer this service to all
affected teens and their guardians.
Thank You!!!!!!!
Yebo!!!!