Abstract

HILL, Naomi; HOCHFELD, Tessa  and  PATEL, Leila. Cash transfers and caregivers: working together to reduce vulnerability and HIV risk among adolescent girls in Johannesburg, South Africa. Social work (Stellenbosch. Online) [online]. 2021, vol.57, n.1, pp.101-117. ISSN 2312-7198.  http://dx.doi.org/10.15270/52-2-909.

In South Africa adolescent girls have the highest HIV incidence of any sex or age cohort. Scalable HIV-prevention interventions targeting this group are critical for epidemic control. Reaching 12.2 million children, the Child Support Grant mitigates the socio-structural drivers of HIV risk. This qualitative study of eight adolescents and their caregivers in Westbury, Johannesburg, explored how caregiving increases protective potential. 'Caregiving' enhanced the HIV risk-reduction benefits of 'cash' when characterised by substantial positive caregiver-adolescent involvement and adequate levels of control and consistency. Results underpin the value of social protection as an HIV-prevention modality and endorse investment in caregiver support programmes.

Keywords : adolescent girls; adolescent HIV risk; caregivers; child support grant; cash transfers; vulnerability and HIV risk.

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