1. The Impact of an Economic Strengthening Intervention on Academic Achievement Among Adolescents Living with HIV: Findings from the Suubi + Adherence Cluster-Randomized Trial in Uganda (2012–2018)
- Author
-
Samuel Kizito, Josephine Nabayinda, Joshua Kiyingi, Torsten B. Neilands, Flavia Namuwonge, Phionah Namatovu, Proscovia Nabunya, Ozge Sensoy Bahar, Vicent Ssentumbwe, Natasja Magorokosho, and Fred M. Ssewamala
- Subjects
Infectious Diseases ,Social Psychology ,Public Health, Environmental and Occupational Health ,Article - Abstract
We examined the impact of a family-based economic strengthening intervention on school dropout and repeating a class among ALWHIV in Uganda. In this cluster-randomized trial (2012–2018) conducted in 39 clinics, we recruited adolescents aged 10–16 years living with HIV. We included data from 613 adolescents. We plotted a Kaplan Meier survival curve and fitted Cox proportional hazards models to test the effect of the economic strengthening intervention on school dropout. The incidence of school dropout was 13.0% and 9.6% in the control and intervention groups, respectively. Also, economic empowerment reduced the risk of school dropout, aHR = 0.68 (95% CI 0.52–0.88), p-value 0.004. In other words, participants in the intervention group had 32% reduced hazards of dropping out of school. Also, increasing age aHR = 1.54 (95% CI 1.42–1.66), p-value < 0.001 and double orphanhood aHR = 0.67 (95% CI 0.47–0.96) p-value 0.030 increased the risks for dropping out of school. The intervention was not efficacious in reducing the rates of repeating a class. The intervention offered the ALWHIV an opportunity to live a productive adult life. More research is required on these kinds of interventions intended to keep ALWHIV and those impacted by HIV in school.
- Published
- 2022
- Full Text
- View/download PDF