"MY MUM TOLD BE I WAS BORN WITH A VIRUS AND IT IS IMPORTANT FOR ME
TO TAKE MY MEDICATION TO STAY HEALTHY"
Once a child is identified as HIV+ getting them treatment and the right support isn't always straight forward. There can be resistance from family and caregivers. Myths and stigma can be the biggest barriers to children and adolescents accessing treatment. This was the story for Joseph (pictured above).
Upon meeting Joseph, his two younger siblings, and his mum Modester, it was apparent the family were in need of major assistance. Joseph was malnourished, his youngest sibling had TB, and his mum's lack of HIV knowledge was acting as a barrier to the family accessing treatment.
Joseph is 7 and living with HIV. He lives with his Mum, Modester, his step father and his three siblings.
Modester was identified as HIV+ in 2006 when she was pregnant with her first child. She didn't know anything about HIV or the importance of staying on treatment so after she had the baby she stopped taking her medication.
Modester never had any education on HIV so she believed HIV was only transmitted through sex. Because of lack of education she believed community myths that HIV testing is witchcraft and therefore didn't want to have her younger children tested. She didn't attend a clinic much during her later three pregnancies and therefore never restarted HIV treatment, meaning all three of her younger children are HIV+.
Joseph was identified as HIV+ when he and his elder brother were taken for circumcision. Modester was fearful of starting treatment again and having her other children tested because of the myths which exist in the community about HIV. She was brought to the TTF Clinic by a local community group who work in the compound the family live in. After a lot of counselling she agreed to have her younger children tested and disclosed that she was pregnant with her 5th child. Immediately Modester and her three younger children were started on ART.
But after going home, her family convinced her that we had taken blood from the children for witchcraft and she began to retreat from the clinic. Our counselling and medical team discussed the case it was decided that she needed HIV education and that Joseph needed to be informed he was living with HIV whilst also being provided with nutritional support.
Upon meeting Joseph, his two younger siblings, and his mum Modester, it was apparent the family were in need of major assistance. Joseph was malnourished, his youngest sibling had TB, and his mum's lack of HIV knowledge was acting as a barrier to the family accessing treatment.
Joseph is 7 and living with HIV. He lives with his Mum, Modester, his step father and his three siblings.
Modester was identified as HIV+ in 2006 when she was pregnant with her first child. She didn't know anything about HIV or the importance of staying on treatment so after she had the baby she stopped taking her medication.
Modester never had any education on HIV so she believed HIV was only transmitted through sex. Because of lack of education she believed community myths that HIV testing is witchcraft and therefore didn't want to have her younger children tested. She didn't attend a clinic much during her later three pregnancies and therefore never restarted HIV treatment, meaning all three of her younger children are HIV+.
Joseph was identified as HIV+ when he and his elder brother were taken for circumcision. Modester was fearful of starting treatment again and having her other children tested because of the myths which exist in the community about HIV. She was brought to the TTF Clinic by a local community group who work in the compound the family live in. After a lot of counselling she agreed to have her younger children tested and disclosed that she was pregnant with her 5th child. Immediately Modester and her three younger children were started on ART.
But after going home, her family convinced her that we had taken blood from the children for witchcraft and she began to retreat from the clinic. Our counselling and medical team discussed the case it was decided that she needed HIV education and that Joseph needed to be informed he was living with HIV whilst also being provided with nutritional support.
MODESTER WORRIED SHE WOULD DIE & NO ONE WOULD CARE FOR HER CHILDREN, BUT NOW KNOWS SHE CAN LEAD A HEALTHY LIFE ON TREATMENT
Joseph was enrolled into our Nutrition program and Modester was enrolled into our early disclosure program, where we help care givers learn about HIV and teach them the skills to talk to their children about HIV and share with them their status. Early disclosure is proven to reduce the risk of a child stopping taking medication as they grown up.
The Mbuya Daisy support groups acted as a tool to provide a support network for Modester to meet with other parents and caregivers,whilst gaining education on HIV. After attending the workshops not only did her knowledge of HIV grow, and the importance of staying on treatment for life, but she was able to share with Joseph the basics of HIV.
Previously Modester worried she would die and no one would be around to care for her children as her husband is paralyzed, but now she knows she can lead a healthy life on treatment.
Since coming to the TTF Clinic the family health has changed significantly. Joseph has gained over 3 kgs, now knows he is living with HIV and understands the importance of taking medication. Modester has learned about HIV, how to talk to her children about HIV and explain to them how to live healthily and understands the importance of staying on treatment to ensure her unborn baby is born healthy. The youngest child is accessing TB medicine and has shown significant improvement in health.
It is only with your support such interventions are possible. Your donations allow us provide in depth support and counselling needed to change lives.
The Mbuya Daisy support groups acted as a tool to provide a support network for Modester to meet with other parents and caregivers,whilst gaining education on HIV. After attending the workshops not only did her knowledge of HIV grow, and the importance of staying on treatment for life, but she was able to share with Joseph the basics of HIV.
Previously Modester worried she would die and no one would be around to care for her children as her husband is paralyzed, but now she knows she can lead a healthy life on treatment.
Since coming to the TTF Clinic the family health has changed significantly. Joseph has gained over 3 kgs, now knows he is living with HIV and understands the importance of taking medication. Modester has learned about HIV, how to talk to her children about HIV and explain to them how to live healthily and understands the importance of staying on treatment to ensure her unborn baby is born healthy. The youngest child is accessing TB medicine and has shown significant improvement in health.
It is only with your support such interventions are possible. Your donations allow us provide in depth support and counselling needed to change lives.
JOIN/ FOLLOW US: |
|
