Aljo C. Cheriyan

Issues and Challenges of Families of PLHIVs &

Replicable Solutions from a

Social Work Project

PLHIV : People Living with HIV

ART : Anti Retro Viral Therapy

CD4 : Cluster Designation T4 Cells

Specific Objectives

Study the issues and challenges of PLHIVs & their Families

Identify replicable solutions

Relevance

Still lots of issues

Only 33% of identified PLHIVs in Kerala taking ART.

Less Care & Support Projects

No Model Projects in Care & Support

ART (Anti Retro Therapy)

Increases the number of T4 cells ;

Defensive capacity;

Finally prolonged healthy life

Should follow strict time table till death.

Adherence to ART- a serious issue

Issues: social, physical, financial etc. (infected are not ready to come forward)

15,628 PLHIVs registered in Ushus centers

for ART (33 % of the total infected in Kerala)

Others are not exposed to treatment-fear of

social stigma.

Methodology

1. 28 PLHIVs- covered 20 families.

2. Thrissur District (who enrolled their details in the Project).

3. Non probability sampling (Convenient Sampling)

Methodology …(contd.)

4. The PLHIVs were studied for one year.

5. Primary data collection: Questionnaire, Interview, observation etc. f and

6. ART book, other books and journals etc. secondary data collection.

Issues and Problems

1. Individual Level

2. Family Level

Individual Level Issues

1. ART Adherence

2. Isolation by other

3. Sarcastic attitude

4. Unhealthy physique

5. Opportunistic Infections

6. Side effects

Individual Level Issues…(contd.)

7. Depression

8. Suicidal Tendencies

9. Financial Crisis

10. Poverty

Family Level Issues1. Widows

2. Social Stigma

3. Isolation by the Society

4. Family conflicts

5. Unwanted Pregnancies

6. Financial Crisis

7. Education of Children

8. Marriage of Children

Project Details

HAT Project

Total: Rs. 2 Crore (KKS, Germany)

Covered Thrissur District

Care & Support Activities

4 Years

Covered 150 Families;

250 PLHIVs & 400 Family members

13 Technical Staff

Replicable Solutions

Individual Level

Family Level

Community Level

Individual Level

ART Follow Up

Counselling

Education

Positive Speaking

STI Treatment

Financial Support

Family Level

Counselling

Education

Home Visit

Get together

Experience Sharing

Educational Support

Financial Support

Community Level

Education

Medical camps

Resource Mobilisation

Local Advisory Council

Challenges Identification

Home Visit

Social Stigma

Being an STD

Lack of Interest & Participation

HIV Testing

Financial Crisis

conclusion So Not only the HIV/ AIDS prevention; But care and support activities; With Professionalism & hard work

‘ZERO NEW HIV INFECTIONS,

ZERO DISCRIMINATION &

ZERO AIDS-RELATED DEATHS’

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Thank You