Adapting Evidence-Based Interventions to Meet the Needs of Adolescents Growing Up with HIV in South Africa: The VUKA Case Example

Claude Ann Mellins; Danielle Nestadt; Arvin Bhana; Inge Petersen; Elaine J Abrams; Stacey Alicea; Helga Holst; Nonhlahla Myeza; Sally John; Latoya Small; Mary McKay

doi:10.1007/s40609-014-0023-8

Adapting Evidence-Based Interventions to Meet the Needs of Adolescents Growing Up with HIV in South Africa: The VUKA Case Example

Glob Soc Welf. 2014 Sep;1(3):97-110. doi: 10.1007/s40609-014-0023-8.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ HIV Center for Clinical and Behavioral Studies, New York State Psychiatric Institute and Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
² School of Applied Human Sciences, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, South Africa.
³ ICAP at Columbia University, Mailman School of Public Health, New York, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA, Department of Pediatrics, College of Physicians & Surgeons, Columbia University, New York, NY, USA.
⁴ Department of Applied Psychology, New York University, New York, NY, USA.
⁵ McCord Hospital, Durban, South Africa.
⁶ Private Practice, UKZN, Durban, South Africa.
⁷ McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research, Silver School of Social Work, New York University, New York, NY, USA.

Abstract

The VUKA family program is one of the only evidence-based interventions to promote positive psychosocial outcomes in South African HIV-infected pre- and early adolescents and their families. In this paper, we discuss the collaborative process by which a multidisciplinary team of clinicians, researchers, counselors, and artists/educators and families adapted and developed VUKA for this population using community-based participatory research methods. We describe the intervention and explore lessons learned that may be applicable across contexts related to international collaboration and adapting evidence-based interventions so that they are likely to be acceptable, feasible, and effective in a given setting and country context.

Keywords: Adherence; Adolescents; Family intervention development; Mental health; Pediatric HIV.

Abstract

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