Secondary prevention for youths living with HIV

As the number of youths infected with HIV rises, secondary prevention programmes are needed to help youths living with HIV meet three goals: (1) increase self-care behaviours, medical adherence and health-related interactions; (2) reduce transmission acts; and (3) enhance their quality of life. This article describes an intervention programme for youths living with HIV, delivered over 30 sessions, in three modules. Based on modifications of the social action model, perceptions, attitudes and skills to enhance affective awareness and positive behavioural routines are identified as prerequisites for meeting each of the targeted outcomes. In each module, youths engage in small-group activities over 8-12 sessions with other infected peers to modify their behavioural patterns. Module 1 focuses on choosing one's social identity with respect to a seropositive status, implementing new daily routines to stay healthy, coping with receiving high quality medical care and keeping safe from reinfection. Module 2 aims to reduce substance use and unprotected sexual acts. Module 3 focuses on using sensory awareness as a strategy for enhancing the quality of life. A variety of delivery strategies are discussed for secondary interventions.