Gladys Ngwafong Mukere, BA, MHP, PhD(c)
Nominated From: University of Bamenda
Research Site: Cameroon-University of Yaounde
Research Area: HIV in Adolescents and HIV Treatment Adherence
Primary Mentors: Dr. Carey Farquhar, Dr. Jillian Pintye
Research Project
An innovative approach to achieving adherence to ART and viral suppression among adolescents on ART in the South-West and North-West regions of Cameroon
Adolescence is a period marked by rapid physical, mental, emotional and psychosocial changes, risk-taking and increased vulnerability. Approximately 2.1 million adolescents were living with HIV (ALHIV) globally in 2016, 770000 of whom were young adolescents(10-14) and 1.03 million were older adolescents (15-19 years); 390000 in West and Central Africa and about 40000 in Cameroon. The HIV burden among adolescents is of great concern, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa, where adolescent girls are affected most (84%). Globally, adolescents constitute 41% of new HIV infections and are the only age group with increasing AIDS-related death rates.
Research Significance
This study seeks to test the effectiveness of an innovative approach to achieving and sustaining adherence to ARV which is one of the main determinants of poor ART outcomes among adolescents on ART. The study will provide an evidence-based innovative model to guide policymakers and practice to attain optimal adherence to ARV, leading to the prevention of opportunistic infections, new infections, reduced hospitalization health care cost, and reduced AIDs related morbidity and mortality among adolescents and young adults on ART. Addressing poor adherence directly mitigates the challenge of poor viral suppression, a main cause of treatment failure, drug resistance, and death among adolescents. This study will help to reverse the upward trend in new infection mortality and promote the attainment of the 3rd 95 target of UNAIDS by 2025 and to end AIDS by 2030 among these vulnerable population.
Publications
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Mentors
