Good Practice Guide: Adolescent HIV Programming

This Good Practice Guide was developed to offer programme managers and service providers concrete implementation guidance and support as they seek to address adolescents’ HIV needs more effectively. It is intended to shape a provider’s approach and work so that adolescents living with HIV and those from key populations can obtain the services they need and live healthy, productive lives. The Good Practice Guide is shaped by the principles of the Positive Health, Dignity and Prevention Framework [PDF], with adolescents and young people at the centre, managing their own health and wellbeing.

As explained in the guide, “[C]urrently, AIDS is the leading cause of death for adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. In 2015, there were an estimated 250,000 new HIV infections among adolescents aged 15-19, while an additional 1.8 million adolescents (aged 10-19) were already living with HIV. Adolescent girls are more vulnerable to HIV than boys. UNAIDS estimates that in sub-Saharan Africa, three in four new infections in 15–19-year olds are among girls.” At the same time, “[B]arriers to access, poor uptake of both prevention and treatment services, stigma and discrimination, as well as challenges with adherence to treatment contribute significantly to HIV-related morbidity and mortality among adolescents.” There is therefore a need to prioritise adolescents in HIV prevention, treatment, care and support, which requires a recognition that adolescence is a distinct time of life and requires focused attention on adolescents’ different needs.

The guide is intended for community-based organisations, programme managers, and service providers designing and delivering services for adolescents living with HIV or at high risk of acquiring HIV.

The guide covers the following topics:

• Adolescent development
• Delivering services to adolescents
• Adolescent-responsive sexual and reproductive health and rights (SRHR) and HIV package of care
• Data for change: improving outcomes for adolescents
• Meaningful participation of adolescents
• Evolving capacity, decision-making, autonomy, and consent
• Communicating with adolescents
• Psychosocial wellbeing.

Each topic area provides key principles, practical ideas, and case studies. International policy recommendations and advocacy opportunities are highlighted, and links to other resources are provided.

This guide is one in a series of good practice guides produced by the International HIV/AIDS Alliance in collaboration with partner organisations. This series brings together expertise from AIDS Alliance's global community-level HIV programming to define and guide good practice in a range of technical areas (see Related Summaries below).

The Guide was developed as a READY initiative to support the growing READY movement that is working with, for and by Resilient, Empowered ADolescents and Young people living with and affected by HIV in countries across the globe. Visit the Alliance’s website for more information on READY+ and READY Teens, two current projects in Africa.