Gathered in a circle, in small groups, or around recreational activities, the young people spent a day filled with both discussions and moments of relaxation. Behind this deliberately informal atmosphere, however, lay an important topic: helping children and adolescents better understand their health.
Disclosing a child’s HIV status is not simply a matter of telling them their diagnosis. It is a gradual process that must take into account the child’s age, level of understanding, and emotional readiness. For Zanmi Lasante, this support should also help the young person understand why they are taking treatment and gradually become more involved in their own care.
With this in mind, social worker Clifford Merisma, along with the team at the Thomas J. White Pavilion at Bon Sauveur Hospital in Cange, coordinated a psychosocial and educational workshop bringing together 58 participants, including 36 children and adolescents from the OEV program as well as seven guardians.
Some of the activities were designed for children living with HIV who are in the process of disclosing their status. Other discussions, aimed particularly at adolescents from the Excelsior Club, focused on sexually transmitted infections, sexual health, and prevention methods.
The support sessions also addressed factors that can influence how a young person receives and processes this information. Psychologist Samuel Thérosmé led a session on self-awareness, confidence, and self-esteem, with the aim of incorporating the psychosocial dimension into discussions about health.
Games, group activities, and relaxation breaks were also part of the day. These activities provided a break from the usual clinical setting and fostered more natural interactions between the young people, their guardians, and the professionals supporting them.
For the children affected by the disclosure, the work doesn’t stop there. Individualized support must continue so that each person can progress at their own pace in understanding their status.
A better understanding of their health can help young people grasp the importance of their treatment, become more involved in their care, and, gradually, gain greater independence.