Tumwesige Edward, Kawuma Rachel, Asiimwe Allen, Nabimanya Patricia, Nakate Stella, Bernays Sarah, Seeley Janet
Social Sciences, MRC/UVRI & LSHTM Uganda Research Unit, Entebbe, Uganda.
School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia.
PLOS Glob Public Health. 2024 Nov 22;4(11):e0003713. doi: 10.1371/journal.pgph.0003713. eCollection 2024.
We describe how a pilot intervention called "Lending a Hand" was implemented to mitigate some of the risks associated with migration among young recent migrants (14-24 years) in two small towns in south-western Uganda. The design of the intervention was informed by the `protection-risk framework', with key protection components of the intervention (positive role models/ "good" social network, safer environment, health and social support) affording support to young migrants to counter risks in their new environment. As part of the intervention (November 2021-January 2023), peer supporters were recruited and trained to provide practical assistance, emotional support, and guidance to young recent migrants. We conducted qualitative in-depth interviews with 20 young migrants (11 males and 9 females). They were purposively selected to participate in two in-depth interviews each to explore their experiences with peer support. Young migrants were eligible to participate if they were aged between 14 and 24 years and in their first year as a migrant in the town. Data were analysed thematically, and three themes on the role of peer supporters were identified based on the protection-components drawn from the protection-risk framework: facilitating access to health services, offering responsive and person-centred support and fostering a social support system, friendship and mentorship. We found that peer supporters improved young migrants' access to health and social support. They facilitated access to healthcare services, provided information and counselling services and offered responsive and person-centred support. Peer supporters in the Lending a Hand intervention played a valuable role in addressing healthcare challenges faced by young migrants. This experience offers lessons for the integration of formal peer support into interventions targeting young migrants to access health and social support services.
我们描述了一项名为“伸出援手”的试点干预措施是如何在乌干达西南部的两个小镇实施的，以减轻近期年轻移民（14至24岁）迁移过程中面临的一些风险。该干预措施的设计基于“保护-风险框架”，干预措施的关键保护要素（积极榜样/“良好”社会网络、更安全的环境、健康和社会支持）为年轻移民提供支持，以应对他们在新环境中的风险。作为干预措施的一部分（2021年11月至2023年1月），招募并培训了同伴支持者，为近期年轻移民提供实际帮助、情感支持和指导。我们对20名年轻移民（11名男性和9名女性）进行了定性深入访谈。他们是经过有目的地挑选，每人参与两次深入访谈，以探讨他们获得同伴支持的经历。年龄在14至24岁之间且刚在该镇成为移民一年的年轻移民有资格参与。对数据进行了主题分析，并根据从保护-风险框架中提取的保护要素，确定了关于同伴支持者作用的三个主题：促进获得医疗服务、提供响应式和以人为本的支持以及建立社会支持系统、友谊和指导关系。我们发现同伴支持者改善了年轻移民获得健康和社会支持的机会。他们促进了获得医疗服务的机会，提供了信息和咨询服务，并提供了响应式和以人为本的支持。“伸出援手”干预措施中的同伴支持者在应对年轻移民面临的医疗挑战方面发挥了宝贵作用。这一经验为将正式的同伴支持纳入针对年轻移民以获得健康和社会支持服务的干预措施提供了借鉴。
