Despite major reductions in mother-to-child HIV transmission (MTCT), young pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV remain a vulnerable group and experience the greatest risk of disengagement from services and suboptimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). HIV-related and intersectional stigmas are major barriers to uptake and retention in prevention of mother-to-child transmission (PMTCT) services and drive suboptimal adherence, and young women experience unique stigmas. Despite this, there are no evidence-based interventions to combat stigma and improve ART outcomes in this group. Peer support group interventions have shown promise in other populations, but have not been examined in young pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV. The investigators are conducting a pilot study of a peer support intervention to mitigate the negative effects of stigma in young pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV in South Africa. Participants will be allocated to the standard of care, in which no standardized peer support groups exist for this patient population, or to a peer support intervention.
Young pregnant and postpartum women living with HIV are at the greatest risk of disengagement from HIV services and suboptimal adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART). Among young women, stigma is a major barrier to retention in services and adherence to ART, and interventions are needed to combat stigma and improve ART outcomes. The investigators are conducting a pilot study of a peer support intervention to mitigate the negative effects of stigma in this population.