June 3, 2022 BY imani leave a comment
Have you ever heard of a Peer support network for HIV care?
Do you want to know why they are important?
You are in the right place, Keep reading to find out!
A positive HIV diagnosis can be very isolating, as people oftentimes cut themselves off from the world when diagnosed with HIV. But the truth is that isolating yourself makes it worse for their mental health. Going to a support group for people with HIV is a more reliable way of getting support. Support groups can be beneficial for people feeling vulnerable or anxious because of ill health, lack of confidence, immigration, poverty or being unable to work.
A key way that social support groups help people is to challenge the idea that ‘HIV = death’. In doing so, support groups help build confidence and strength. It can be hugely inspiring if people can see other people who are ‘in the same boat’ doing well. A stand-out benefit of peer support networks in HIV care can be found in the increased recognition that peer support as a complement to general healthcare services, contributes to meeting the healthcare needs of people living with HIV.
Peer support with routine medical care is superior to routine clinic follow-up in improving outcomes for people living with HIV. It can be highly considered an effective approach for linking and retaining people living with HIV to HIV care, which can help improve their day-to-day quality of life.
