A longitudinal evaluation of an intensive residential intervention (camp) for 12-16 year olds living with HIV in the UK: evidence of psychological change maintained at six month follow-up.

There are large numbers of young people with HIV globally, the majority of whom have perinatally acquired HIV (PAH). Despite evidence of lower levels of wellbeing in young people with PAH compared to HIV unaffected peers, there are few psychosocial interventions for this population. Residential interventions (camps) for young people with HIV have the potential for enhancing well-being and improving HIV-related outcomes. There have not been any quantitative evaluations of camps for young people with HIV. This study evaluated a week-long intensive residential intervention for 12-16 year olds living with HIV in the UK. A quantitative repeated measures design was used. Forty nine participants completed assessments before and immediately after the intervention (post-intervention) and at six month follow-up (73% retention rate; 28 (57%) female; median age 14 years, IQR 13-15 years). Self-report measures suggested improvements in both HIV knowledge and pro HIV disclosure affect and cognitions post-intervention, maintained at six month follow-up. There were improvements in antiretroviral adherence beliefs from baseline to six month follow-up, and in self-perception from baseline to post-intervention. These changes are important in their own right but may also be mediators of other outcomes such as increased ART adherence and reduced onward HIV transmission risk. The study suggests that brief residential interventions have the potential to facilitate sustained change in psychological outcomes. Research and practice implications are outlined.