Online Reporter
Robin Muchetu, Health and Gender Editor
ADOLESCENT boys and girls constitute a critical segment in Zimbabwe’s HIV response as they account for the majority of new infections.
This reality has prompted health authorities to develop targeted interventions that address the unique needs of young people requiring specialised care.
To ensure adolescents are not left behind in accessing essential services, dedicated Adolescent Clinics have been established to provide a youth-friendly environment conducive to their health and well-being.
Monitoring and evaluation officer for the National Aids Council in Matabeleland North Province, Ms Mthokozisi Moyo, emphasised the importance of tailored care for young people living with HIV.
“Adolescents on ART often prefer not to access services alongside adults, which can discourage them from seeking help. That’s why we have created separate programmes targeting them alone. We focus on adherence, psychosocial counselling and other support services crucial for their age group,” he said.
Mr Lesley Thebe, a nurse at Inyathi District Hospital who manages the Adolescent Clinic housed within the hospital, shared insights into the clinic’s operations.
“Our clinic caters for adolescents aged between five and 24 years. Once they turn 25, they are transitioned to the adult clinic. We offer comprehensive services including family planning, STI treatment, and primarily, HIV care. Currently, we serve 215 clients, with 62 pregnant or lactating adolescents,” he said.
He highlighted that adolescents often have specific preferences regarding their care — such as whom they want to treat them and when.
“Sometimes, they may avoid the clinic if a preferred healthcare worker is unavailable. This led us to establish a dedicated space for them, where they can access services without challenges. We also schedule reviews at times when they are most comfortable, even on weekends, to accommodate their school schedules and reduce congestion,” Mr Thebe noted.
The clinic’s approach aims to ensure that all adolescents know their HIV status by the age of 15. Many discover their status during high school, often through lessons or peer interactions. However, some teens react negatively, ceasing ART to upset their parents or out of fear of disclosure.
“We’ve found that early disclosure within the family, starting from childhood, helps prevent issues like defaulting on treatment later. Open communication reduces the risk of adolescents hiding their status or misusing their medication,” he added.
Miss Melisa Mpofu, assistant strategic evaluation and information officer at Zvandiri (meaning “As I am”), a non-governmental organisation supporting children and adolescents living with HIV, corroborated the importance of adolescent-specific services.
“We support young people at Inyathi District Hospital through our network of 18 Community Adolescent Treatment Supporters (Cats) and three Young Mentor Mothers (YMM). We work across nine facilities, providing adherence counselling, viral load monitoring, defaulter tracking and mental health screening,” she said.
Miss Mpofu noted that managing adolescents aged between 13 and 24 present unique challenges due to hormonal changes and social dynamics.
“They are often difficult to trace because of their mobility, especially in mining areas like Inyathi. Our Cats use mobile health platforms and community outreach to stay connected with them,” she said.
The Cats programme has significantly improved treatment adherence. Each supporter is assigned a group of adolescents whom they visit periodically and communicate with regularly via mobile phones.
“They remind adolescents to take their ARVs, attend clinic appointments and follow health advice. Our goal is to maintain viral suppression and prevent missed visits,” Mpofu emphasised.
She also highlighted the critical role of Cats and YMMs in facilitating disclosure of HIV status.
“Many families have not disclosed the diagnosis to their children, leading to non-adherence or accidental disclosure during home visits. Our community cadres assist families with counselling to promote honest communication, ensuring children understand their condition and take their medication appropriately,” she said.
Young Mentor Mothers serve as peer support systems for young women living with HIV, helping them adhere to treatment, attend clinics and navigate counselling needs. Their support is vital in promoting sustained health outcomes among adolescent girls and young women.
Overall, these adolescent-centred initiatives are reshaping HIV care by creating safe, supportive environments that promote treatment adherence, mental well-being and open communication.
As Zimbabwe continues to combat HIV, the expansion and enhancement of adolescent clinics and support programs remain essential in securing the health and future of its youth. — @NyembeziMu
Bongani Ndlovu