Rafiki Center Transitions Young Adults to Adult Clinic
The MTRH Rafiki Center for excellence in adolescent and youth health bid farewell to the 2020/2021 cohort of young adults who were ready to transition to the adult module at the AMPATH Centre. The USAID-supported youth center provides an adolescent-friendly environment for HIV-positive youth where they not only get their treatment, but also learn skills such as tailoring and enjoy social activities such as dancing and playing chess.
At the age of 22, youth are ready to attend the adult module for their clinical appointments and follow-up. Michael Tanui, the clinical officer in charge of Rafiki Center, explained the need for the transitions, “The transition ages are not cast on stone. We have those who transit to adult care at 20, and those who stay on up to 25 years, as we treat every individual patient differently. Some at 20 are already married and with children, hence they would feel out of place interacting with the other adolescents.”
Reasons cited for delayed transition include delayed milestones, newly diagnosed youth, fragile individuals affected by different psycho-social or medical issues, and those who are still in school despite being a bit older than their peers.
Rafiki facilitates the annual transition ceremony as an orientation to allow for a smooth changeover. This year the transition ceremony included about 20 youth. The ceremony was also attended by the health care team from the adult modules where the young adults will now receive their health care services.
The objective of the transition meeting was not only an introduction to the adult module but was also a wholesome and educational event. The youth were given nuggets of wisdom on change, career, networking and mental health counseling.
Speaking to those in attendance, Dr. Julie Kadima the STO MTRH, encouraged them to accept the move as a positive event and accept that change is a good thing. “Change is inevitable, and we all have to make peace with change. It is necessary and we shall experience it in many areas of our adult life,“ she said. Dr. Kadima encouraged them to establish support systems and confidants who will help them navigate life. “I want you to think of this one person you can tell anything however sinister. If you don’t have one, you need to get one because we all need that one person that has our back, that will support us at all times.”
Dr. Nelson Mandela, a peer and earlier transitioned youth from the center emphasized the need for disclosure of their status to trusted individuals as a part of the journey to self-acceptance. “Since I was diagnosed HIV positive, I kept it a secret that I was only able to share with my two friends while in campus. Sharing helped me find relief,” he said.
Dr. Mandela encouraged young adults to pursue their dreams and not let their HIV status define them or deter them from achieving great heights in their careers. This message was consistently reinforced by the other peers who encouraged the youth to live a full and enjoyable life and be sure to make responsible choices while at it.
The young adults are allowed to visit the Rafiki Center for socialization even as they have their routine clinic visits at the adult module.
Community Clean-Up Day by the Rafiki Center Youth
Youth and the staff from the Rafiki Center together with their friends joined hands in August for a cleanup exercise of the facility. The fun-filled clean-up exercise had the youth cheerfully exert their energies to give the Center a thorough cleaning.
Michael Tanui explained that the event aimed to allow the youth to interact, network and learn the ABCs of HIV Prevention while at it. “This activity was not only attended by the youth on ART, but was open for other youth who have received services from our facility, as well as those that they could tag along,” he said.
The day was not all about cleaning and playing. The attendees also had guided discussions on self-awareness; mental health and stress management; reproductive health including the available spectrum of contraceptives available for them; and HIV prevention and management. The attendees had access to HIV testing services and a chance to enroll for use of PREP and access to contraceptives.