15th International AIDS Conference Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. MoOrD1025)

Kongsawat S, Pinpetch J, Reungdej S, Jaidee J, Petdachai W, Lakhonphol S, Koen F
Patana Cheewit Group, Petchburi, Thailand

ISSUES: It is acknowledged that successful treatment with antiretroviral (ARV) therapy requires the patient to maintain consistent adherence to the prescribed regimen on a long-term basis. Before and during treatment HIV-infected children and their caregivers may confront some problems that may affect adherence. Trained people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWA) with their own experience in disease process can fill this gap.

DESCRIPTION: With support from non-governmental organization, 4 PLWA worked as volunteers in pediatric out-patient services in provincial hospital in Thailand. They managed group activity, giving information concerning disease process, opportunistic infections, ARV drugs and their undesirable side effects to children through child friendly tools. They taught technique of pill taking, counted remaining pills for physicians and prepared drug packets for the old caregivers of low literacy. They did regular home visits giving psychosocial support, assessed adherence to ARV drugs and relayed these data to health team.

LESSONS LEARNED: Adherence was effectively enhanced with the help of PLWA. They gave hope and affection to children, educated them on disease and supervised drug taking from their experience. They had enough time to form intimate contact and relationship with children and their caregivers. Recommendation: With proper support PLWA can be a valuable living tool in enhancing adherence. They provide complimentary task for physicians and other health care workers. In a project to deliver ARV drugs, a working group of PLWA should be part of a health team.

040711
MoOrD1025

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