"This conflict has turned me into a Doctor, Nurse and Nutritionist at the same time": how peer support among HIV-positive IDPs created opportunities for care in conflict-stricken Kabare, Congo DR

C. Muzyamba*

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

ObjectiveWhile HIV research remains priority in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), most of the studies have traditionally been conducted in secure locations with little focus on internally displaced person (IDPs) and how they rely on locally available strategies for care and survival. Thus the aim of this study is to fill this gap by investigating the role of indigenous social relations (particularly, peer support) in the promotion of care among IDPs living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) in a conflict region known as Kabare in the south Kivu province of Eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo.ResultsThrough a qualitative study, we show that despite having some limitations (e.g. lacked practical avenues to monitor and treat HIV-related complications), peer-support was crucial in providing much needed empathetic social, economic, psychological, material, nutritional and emotional supportive services to HIV positive IDPs. Peer support was also useful in promoting adherence to antiretroviral treatment including provision of financial support that opened survival pathways in the face of conflict, weak health systems and poverty.
Original languageEnglish
Article number126
Number of pages5
JournalBMC Research Notes
Volume12
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 12 Mar 2019

Keywords

  • HIV
  • AIDS
  • Congo DR
  • Internally-displaced-persons

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