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Objective: As HIV transitions to a chronic disease, measures that foster continued health are critical. Peer support groups can help in reducing stigma and ensuring wellbeing for those living with HIV. The purpose of our study was to gain an understanding of the ways in which women living with HIV in rural areas sustain peer support groups. Design and sample: For this descriptive qualitative study, 20 women living with HIV participated in the study. Women were randomly divided into two peer support groups of ten women each; the groups met over a 12‐month period. monthly for the first two months and then every three months for the remainder of the year. Results: Discussion themes indicated women found ways to sustain the groups by using them as a platform for engaging in income generation; starting and participating in table banking; addressing food security; and finding financial and moral support. Problem‐solving challenges of sustaining peer support groups was also a major theme. Conclusion: As people live longer with HIV, long‐term peer support will be needed to maintain wellbeing. Community‐based peer support groups can be sustained by engaging women in common income‐generation activities. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: This study aimed to examine the association between women's empowerment and wealth over time in Kenya., Methods: Kenya Demographic and Health Surveys (DHS) for 2003 and 2008-2009 were used. Eligible women and men were either married or living with a partner. Two scales were used for empowerment: female participation in decision-making, and attitudes toward domestic violence against female partners. Hierarchical linear models were used based on theoretical blocks of covariates., Results: In a sample of 9847 women and 3207 men, results showed empowerment increased over time. After adjustment, female partners' reporting greater empowerment on either scale remained significantly associated with increased wealth, (urban: β = 0.04, p value < 0.05; β = - 0.06, p value < 0.01) and (rural: β = 0.04, p value < 0.01, β = - 0.07, p value < 0.01). Based on male partners' responses, female partners' participation in decision-making was associated with increased wealth in rural regions (β = 0.04, p value < 0.01), and agreement with domestic violence towards a female partner was significantly associated with a decrease in wealth in urban regions (β = - 0.08, p value < 0.01)., Conclusions: Women's empowerment has increased over time in Kenya and is associated with increased family wealth. The association varies by gender of respondent and rural/urban residence.