Preliminary Findings From the HIV SEERs Project: A Community-Based Participatory Research Program to Reduce HIV Stigma Among Youth in Kenya. (July 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Chenneville, Tiffany; Gabbidon, Kemesha; Drake, Hunter; Rodriguez, Lindsey
• Is Part Of: Journal of the Association of Nurses in AIDS Care. Volume 30:Number 4(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-07
• Subjects: community-based participatory research -- HIV stigma -- low- to middle-income country -- youth; AIDS (Disease) -- Nursing -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Treatment -- Periodicals; AIDS (Disease) -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Nursing -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Treatment -- Periodicals; HIV infections -- Periodicals; 616.97920231
• DOI: 10.1097/JNC.0000000000000019
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1055-3290

Abstract

Abstract : Abstract: Worldwide, an estimated 4 million youth, ages 15–24 years, are living with HIV. Youth in Kenya experience a high HIV disease burden. HIV-related stigma is a known barrier to HIV prevention. We evaluated the HIV Stigma-reduction through Education, Empowerment, and Research (SEERs) Project, a conceptually driven program that emerged from community-based participatory research and was designed with and for youth ages 13–24 years in Kenya. We analyzed existing evaluation data from 641 SEERs participants who completed pre-, post-, and 3-month follow-up surveys to evaluate changes in HIV knowledge and stigma. Findings revealed a significant increase in HIV knowledge and a significant decrease in HIV-related stigma over time. Despite strong preliminary evidence, research is needed to refine the program and better determine its effectiveness using a randomized controlled trial. Programs such as SEERs can be used in Kenya and other low- to middle-income countries to improve HIV-related health outcomes.