CHS seeks to nurture the potential of adolescents and young adults (10-24 years) and at the same time challenge them to take charge of their health outcomes through an innovative approach designed for adolescents ‘Operation Triple Zero’ (OTZ).
OTZ is geared towards motivating HIV positive adolescents to take responsibility for their own health and commit to achieving the “triple zero outcomes”- zero missed appointments, zero missed drugs and zero viral load. Individuals that achieve these outcomes are dubbed “heroes” and serve a role in inspiring those around them to achieve the triple zero outcomes.
The implementation procedure involves: Identifying an OTZ health facility team consisting of a dedicated Counsellor, Clinician and an adolescent or youth peer for care and treatment; OTZ orientation for the facility team and providing an OTZ register and facility telephone for proper documentation and follow up of OTZ members.
OTZ focus areas include treatment literacy, transition to adult care, life skills, addressing self-stigma, positive living, adolescent peer support, career choices, adherence and disclosure. The adolescents are further encouraged to come up with topics of interest as well as discuss the challenges they face in the course of treatment.
“OTZ has helped me learn a lot about taking care of my health and myself. Engaging and sharing experiences with other adolescents living with HIV has helped me know that I am not alone and I can achieve anything regardless of my HIV status.” 17-year-old OTZ member.
Enrolled adolescents receive merchandise such as shirts, caps and bracelets with a message “Heroes for Zeroes” which serves as a constant motivator and reminder for them to take charge of their health outcomes. Enrolment to the OTZ clubs is voluntary and all adolescents living with HIV are encouraged to enrol.
With support from the U.S. President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), through Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) CHS through its Shinda, Naishi and Tegemeza Plus projects has enrolled over 9,000 adolescents into 266 OTZ clubs.
OTZ continues to provide a safe and engaging environment for adolescents to express themselves, explore their talents, take charge of their health and receive quality care. CHS is committed to improving and setting up friendly adolescent spaces in the supported facilities and through frequent open forums where OTZ members meet and engage amongst themselves with the help of the peer mentors and health care workers.
