A livelihood intervention to improve economic and psychosocial well-being in rural Uganda: Longitudinal pilot study. Issue 1 (1st January 2016)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Kakuhikire, Bernard; Suquillo, Diego; Atuhumuza, Elly; Mushavi, Rumbidzai; Perkins, Jessica M.; Venkataramani, Atheendar S.; Weiser, Sheri D.; Bangsberg, David R.; Tsai, Alexander C.
• Is Part Of: SAHARA J. Volume 13:Issue 1(2016)
• Page Start: 162
• Page End: 169
• Publication Date: 2016-01-01
• Subjects: HIV -- poverty -- social stigma -- Uganda; VIH -- la pauvreté -- stigmatisation sociale -- Ouganda; HIV infections -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Social aspects -- South Africa -- Periodicals; 362.1969792
• DOI: 10.1080/17290376.2016.1230072
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1729-0376

Abstract

Abstract: HIV and poverty are inextricably intertwined in sub-Saharan Africa. Economic and livelihood intervention strategies have been suggested to help mitigate the adverse economic effects of HIV, but few intervention studies have focused specifically on HIV-positive persons. We conducted three pilot studies to assess a livelihood intervention consisting of an initial orientation and loan package of chickens and associated implements to create poultry microenterprises. We enrolled 15 HIV-positive and 22 HIV-negative participants and followed them for up to 18 months. Over the course of follow-up, participants achieved high chicken survival and loan repayment rates. Median monthly income increased, and severe food insecurity declined, although these changes were not statistically significant ( P -values ranged from 0.11 to 0.68). In-depth interviews with a purposive sample of three HIV-positive participants identified a constellation of economic and psychosocial benefits, including improved social integration and reduced stigma.