The Happy Teen programme: a holistic outpatient clinic‐based approach to prepare HIV‐infected youth for the transition from paediatric to adult medical care services in Thailand

Introduction : We developed an 18-month Happy Teen 2 (HT2) programme comprised of a one-day workshop, two half-day sessions, and three individual sessions to prepare HIV-infected youth for the transition from paediatric to adult HIV care services. We describe the programme and evaluate the change in youth’s knowledge scores. Methods : We implemented the HT2 programme among HIV-infected Thai youth aged 14–22 years who were aware of their HIV status and receiving care at two hospitals in Bangkok (Siriraj Hospital, Queen Sirikit National Institute of Child Health [QSNICH]). Staff interviewed youth using a standardized questionnaire to assess HIV and health-related knowledge at baseline and at 12 and 18 months while they participated in the programme. We examined factors associated with a composite knowledge score ≥95% at month 18 using logistic regression. Results : During March 2014–July 2016, 192 of 245 (78%) eligible youth were interviewed at baseline. Of these, 161 (84%) returned for interviews at 12 and 18 months. Among the 161 youth, the median age was 17 years, 74 (46%) were female, and 99% were receiving antiretroviral treatment. The median composite score was 45% at baseline and increased to 82% at 12 months and 95% at 18 months ( P 95% was associated with education level >high school (aOR: 2.15, 95%CI, 1.03–4.48) and receipt care at QSNICH (aOR: 2.43, 95%CI, 1.18–4.98). Youth whose mother and father had died were less likely to have score ≥95% (aOR: 0.22, 95%CI, 0.07–0.67) than those with living parents. Conclusions : Knowledge useful for a successful transition from paediatric to adult HIV care increased among youth participating in the HT2 programme. Youth follow-up will continue to assess the impact of improved knowledge on outcomes following the transition to adult care services. Keywords  HIV; adolescent; treatment; knowledge; transition; adherence; Thailand To access the supplementary material to this article please see  Supplementary Files  under Article Tools online. (Published: 16 May 2017) Lolekha R et al.  Journal of the International AIDS Society  2017,  20(Suppl 3) :21500 http://www.jiasociety.org/index.php/jias/article/view/21500  |  http://dx.doi.org/10.7448/IAS.20.4.21500