Support a Qualitative Study on Youth and Adolescents’ Awareness and Perspectives of and Experiences on Multi-month Dispensing/Scripting (MMD/S)
While MMD/S is picking up momentum, there remains limited data on it, with most data remaining quantitative and not much qualitative data available. Additionally, client-centered data and feedback is limited. Specifically, there is limited data on the perspectives of and experiences on multi-month dispensing/scripting (MMD/S) among youth and adolescents. Considering that this population tends to have lower rates of adherence to/retention on ART (even on just a monthly basis), it is vital to consider what opportunities, challenges, and barriers there may be to uptake of MMD/S among this population as PEPFAR and USAID make advances to roll out 3- and 6-month MMD/S across all PEPFAR-supported countries so that interventions adequately cater to this population. This activity aims to provide holistic qualitative data to help generate evidence that can be used to inform planning for MMD/S roll-out.
This activity supports USAID/OHA to generate data from qualitative focus groups with adolescents and youth ages 18-24, service providers, including pharmacists, social workers, adherence counselors, support group leaders, and policy makers to address the following questions:
- What are the benefits and incentives to uptake of MMD/S among youth and adolescents under 24?
- What are the perceived and actual barriers and challenges to uptake of MMD/S among youth and adolescents under 24?
- What have youth and adolescents under 24 experiences been with 3-month MMD/S?
- What are their perspectives on 6-month MMD/S? What would make MMD/S more appealing to this population?
- What are health care providers’ perspectives to prescribing multiple months of ART to this population? What are pharmacists’ perspectives?
- When are having less clinical visits beneficial versus challenging? Is there a link between appointments and ART adherence?
- How would psychosocial groups (PSSGs) separate from clinic visits to pick up MMD/S change this population’s perspectives?
- How do we ensure adequate peer support for adolescents when spacing out clinical visits?
YouthPower Learning reviewed the literature, developed qualitative research tools, and analyzed and summarized data the USAID/OHA staff collected. Products stemming from this activity are coming soon.