Horizons Projects | Promoting the Sustainability of PLHA Care and Support Activities by Young People in Zambia

HORIZONS PROJECT
Promoting the Sustainability of PLHA Care and Support Activities by Young People in Zambia

CARE International, Family Health Trust, and Horizons worked with the Catholic Archdioceses of Mansa and Ndola to investigate whether young people who provide care and support to people living with HIV and AIDS can help meet their needs and those of family members. Researchers also examined whether such youth-related care and support programs can help reduce community stigmatization of those who are infected or help youth to reduce sexual risk-taking.

A pilot study assessing the impact of young people’s involvement in care and support of people living with HIV and AIDS on their own behavior was conducted from 2000 to 2002. It examined the impact of the implementation of prevention, care, and support activities for young people in Zambia, and found that youth caregivers became a positive resource to their communities. A striking finding was the willingness of youth to explore and challenge traditional gender norms.

To increase the long-term sustainability of these results, an extension program was implemented. Its objectives were to train members of the project management committees to run the program, establish local partnerships and mobilize resources, strengthen the skills of youth caregivers, conduct research to determine the long-term trends in sexual behaviors of youth, and identify and document lessons and good practices for enhancing the scaling-up of this and similar programs in Zambia.

The youth-led efforts largely sustained care activities targeted to people living with HIV and AIDS and their families as a result of continued community support and assumption of leadership roles by youth members. Most groups expanded home-based care to include referrals to newly available services, including voluntary counseling and treatment. Some groups financed and supported their programs by developing income-generating activities or accessing local resources.

Location

Ndola, Zambia

Duration

September 1999–March 2007

Horizons and Population Council researchers

Katie Schenk, the late Mutale Chomba, Eka Esu-Williams, Scott Geibel, Amos Kasongo, Joseph Motsepe, Anderson Zulu, Moses Zulu

Non-Council collaborators

Mrs. van Andel (Bwafwano Central Board, Mporokoso District)

Mangala Chambeshi-Moyo, Levyson Chipangula, Tamara Fetters, Kasonde Lwao, Fines Mukonze, Alice Whitehead (CARE International/Zambia)

Sister Petronella Bweupe (Catholic Diocese of Mansa)

The late Esaya Bukanga (Catholic Archdiocese of Ndola)

Rhoda Bulezi (District AIDS Task Force, Mansa)

Denny Luwaya (District AIDS Task Force, Nchelenge)

Justine Mulenga (District Education Office, Mkporokoso)

Mwape Chalowandya, Dickstar Kaluba, Collins Mwansa (Family Health Trust/Zambia)

Linda Lahme (Luapula Foundation Mansa)

M. Zulu (Mantumbusa Community Club, Mansa)

W.S. Kasoloko (Ministry of Education, Nchelenge District)

Davison Mumba (Mutiti Community Youth Club)

Sam Bwalya, Joseph Mutale (Northern Province Health Education Project)

Peggy Mumba (Society for Women and AIDS in Africa, Mansa)

The late Aaron Mwale (University of Zambia)

Beck Banda (Zambia Youth Forum)

District Health Management Teams

District Inspectors of Schools

Catholic Diocese of Mansa home-based care teams

Kasama School of Nursing

Project Concern International

St. Paul’s Mission Hospital

Donor

US Agency for International Development

Publications/Resources on this project