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Akama EO, Beres LK, Kulzer JL, Ontuga G, Adhiambo H, Bushuru S, Nyagesoa E, Osoro J, Opondo I, Sang N, Oketch B, Nyanga J, Osongo CO, Nyandieka E, Ododa E, Omondi E, Ochieng F, Owino C, Odeny T, Kwena ZA, Eshun-Wilson I, Petersen M, Bukusi EA, Geng EH, Abuogi LL. A youth-centred approach to improving engagement in HIV services: human-centred design methods and outcomes in a research trial in Kisumu County, Kenya. BMJ Glob Health 2023; 8:e012606. [PMID: 38030226 PMCID: PMC10689376 DOI: 10.1136/bmjgh-2023-012606] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 10/01/2023] [Indexed: 12/01/2023] Open
Abstract
IntroductionInnovative interventions are needed to improve HIV outcomes among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) living with HIV. Engaging AYAs in intervention development could increase effectiveness and youth acceptance, yet research is limited. We applied human-centred design (HCD) to refine adherence-support interventions pretrial and assessed HCD workshop acceptability. METHODS We applied an iterative, four-phased HCD process in Kenya that included: (1) systematic review of extant knowledge, (2) prioritisation of design challenges, (3) a co-creation workshop and (4) translation tables to pair insights with trial intervention adaptations. The co-creation workshop was co-led by youth facilitators employing participatory activities to inform intervention adaptations. Iterative data analysis included rapid thematic analysis of visualised workshop outputs and notes using affinity mapping and dialogue to identify key themes. We conducted a survey to assess workshop acceptability among participants. RESULTS Twenty-two participants engaged in the 4-day workshop. Co-creation activities yielded recommendations for improving planned interventions (eg, message frequency and content; strategies to engage hard-to-reach participants), critical principles to employ across interventions (eg, personalisation, AYA empowerment) and identification of unanticipated AYA HIV treatment priorities (eg, drug holidays, transition from adolescent to adult services). We revised intervention content, peer navigator training materials and study inclusion criteria in response to findings. The youth-led HCD workshop was highly acceptable to participants. CONCLUSIONS Research employing HCD among youth can improve interventions preimplementation through empathy, youth-led inquiry and real-time problem solving. Peer navigation may be most influential in improving retention when engagement with young people is based on mutual trust, respect, privacy and extends beyond HIV-specific support. Identifying opportunities for personalisation and adaptation within intervention delivery is important for AYAs. Patient engagement interventions that target young people should prioritise improved transition between youth and adult services, youth HIV status disclosure, AYA empowerment and healthcare worker responsiveness in interactions and episodic adherence interruptions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eliud Omondi Akama
- Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Laura K Beres
- Department of International Health, Johns Hopkins University Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, Maryland, USA
| | - Jayne Lewis Kulzer
- Department of Obstetrics, Gynecology, and Reproductive Sciences, University of California, San Francisco, California, USA
| | - Gladys Ontuga
- Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Harriet Adhiambo
- Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Child, Family, and Population Health Nursing, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington, USA
| | - Sarah Bushuru
- Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Edwin Nyagesoa
- Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Joseph Osoro
- Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Isaya Opondo
- Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Norton Sang
- Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Bertha Oketch
- Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - James Nyanga
- Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Cirilus Ogollah Osongo
- Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- Family AIDS Care and Education Services (FACES) Clinic, Kisumu, Kenya
| | - Evelyn Nyandieka
- Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Evelyn Ododa
- Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Eunice Omondi
- Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Felix Ochieng
- Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Clinton Owino
- Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Thomas Odeny
- Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Zachary Arochi Kwena
- Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Ingrid Eshun-Wilson
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Maya Petersen
- Biostatistics and Epidemiology, University of California, Berkeley, California, USA
| | - Elizabeth A Bukusi
- Centre for Microbiology Research (CMR), Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Elvin H Geng
- Department of Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri, USA
| | - Lisa L Abuogi
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, Denver, Colorado, USA
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