Abstract
Background and aims: A previous randomised trial found that a leaflet designed to promote self-management skills in HIV and AIDS was effective in increasing knowledge and reducing HIV related stigma in a school population of Zambian adolescents This study aims to examine the effectiveness of the leaflet in a clinic population of adolescents with HIV and AIDS and to explore the impact of knowledge on adherence.
Methods: 77 participants were recruited from in the Lusaka region and randomised to receive the HIV leaflet or a control leaflet. Participants completed an HIV knowledge questionnaire, an adapted version of the Medication Adherence Self Report Inventory, a measure of health locus of control (HLC) and a stigma scale at time 1 and at 5 weeks follow-up.
Results: There were no differences in knowledge, HLC, stigma or adherence between the groups at time 1 or at 5 weeks follow-up. In the sample as a whole knowledge was low. 15 young people admitted to missing at least one dose of medication in the previous day and those children had significantly lower knowledge (p=0.02). Lower knowledge was strongly associated with higher levels of stigma (r=-.639, p< 0.001) and a more internal HLC (r=0.575, p< 0.001). Regression analysis found that knowledge accounted for 28% of variance in stigma scores after controlling for age and gender.
Conclusion: Children with HIV had low levels of knowledge about HIV and AIDS and a self management leaflet was not effective in increasing knowledge, suggesting a need for more intensive intervention.
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Andren, J., Menon, A., McPherson, A. et al. Implications of Zambian Adolescents' Knowledge about HIV and AIDS for Adherence to Treatment and Perceived Stigma. Pediatr Res 70 (Suppl 5), 443 (2011). https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2011.668
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/pr.2011.668