Housing, psychosocial and adherence counseling among HIV+ persons in Ghana.

As part of providing comprehensive HIV/AIDS services, the Ghana National AIDS Control Programme (NACP) and Ministry of Health recommend that Persons Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) receive psychosocial support and follow-up visits that ensure medical and drug adherence assistance. The successful implementation of these support services requires patients to have stable and quality housing, yet studies that examine associations between housing, psychosocial support, and adherence counseling among PLWHAs in Ghana and sub-Saharan Africa are limited. Data were collected from 605 PLWHAs attending check-up and receiving Anti-Retroviral Therapy (ART) from both Atua Government Hospital and St. Martin's de Porres Hospital, located in the Manya Krobo district. Results show significant relationships between housing and access to psychosocial counseling and support. Specifically, respondents with stable homes and quality housing were significantly more likely to receive psychosocial counseling and support, compared to those without stable and quality housing. It is important for policy makers to consider housing as an important element of psychosocial counseling and care.

Tenkorang EY ，Owusu AY ，Laar AK ，Yeboah EH ... -  《-》

Housing and Health Outcomes of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) in the Lower Manya Krobo District, Ghana.

Tenkorang EY ，Owusu AY ，Laar AK 《-》

Revisiting the Housing-Health Relationship for HIV-Positive Persons: Qualitative Evidence From the Lower Manya Krobo District, Ghana.

Teye-Kau M ，Tenkorang EY ，Adjei PB 《QUALITATIVE HEALTH RESEARCH》

The contexts of housing stability and change among HIV-positive persons in the Lower Manya Krobo Municipality, Ghana.

Due to stigma, discrimination and economic insecurity, persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHAs) are highly vulnerable to housing instability. For instance, PLWHAs are more likely to either remain stable in inadequate homes or change residence. Yet, few studies explore the contexts of housing stability and change among PLWHAs, especially in sub-Saharan Africa, where the majority reside. This study used qualitative in-depth interviews to explore the narratives of 38 PLWHAs on the contexts of housing stability and the circumstances leading to change in residence. On diagnosis with HIV, the majority of PLWHAs (58%) changed housing locations, mostly from bad to worse conditions. Reasons for change include: eviction due to stigma and discrimination, inability to afford rent, quest to hide HIV status and death of a cohabiting partner. Our findings suggest policy makers should pay attention to the deplorable and poor housing conditions of PLWHAs in Ghana.

Owusu AY ，Teye-Kau M ，Tenkorang EY 《-》

Managing HIV-positive sero-status in Ghana's most HIV concentrated district: self-perceived explanations and theoretical discourse.

Owusu AY ，Laar A 《-》