Sustaining peer support groups: Insights from women living with HIV in rural Kenya. Public Health Nurs 2021 Jul;38(4):588-595
Date
03/30/2021Pubmed ID
33778994DOI
10.1111/phn.12879Scopus ID
2-s2.0-85103407094 (requires institutional sign-in at Scopus site) 2 CitationsAbstract
OBJECTIVE: As HIV transitions to a chronic disease, measures that foster continued health are critical. Peer support groups can help in reducing stigma and ensuring wellbeing for those living with HIV. The purpose of our study was to gain an understanding of the ways in which women living with HIV in rural areas sustain peer support groups.
DESIGN AND SAMPLE: For this descriptive qualitative study, 20 women living with HIV participated in the study. Women were randomly divided into two peer support groups of ten women each; the groups met over a 12-month period. monthly for the first two months and then every three months for the remainder of the year.
RESULTS: Discussion themes indicated women found ways to sustain the groups by using them as a platform for engaging in income generation; starting and participating in table banking; addressing food security; and finding financial and moral support. Problem-solving challenges of sustaining peer support groups was also a major theme.
CONCLUSION: As people live longer with HIV, long-term peer support will be needed to maintain wellbeing. Community-based peer support groups can be sustained by engaging women in common income-generation activities.
Author List
Kako PM, Ngui E, Kako T, Ndakuya-Fitzgerald F, Mkandawire-Valhmu L, Dressel AE, Kiplagat A, Egede LEAuthor
Leonard E. Egede MD Center Director, Chief, Professor in the Medicine department at Medical College of WisconsinMESH terms used to index this publication - Major topics in bold
FemaleHIV Infections
Humans
Kenya
Peer Group
Self-Help Groups
Social Stigma