1059-India-The Positive Running Program: Implementation and evaluation of a physical fitness program to improve outcomes among adolescents and youth living with HIV in South India

Globally, there are almost 3 million children infected with HIV and 15 million children who have lost one or both of their parents to AIDS-related causes in 2021. India is one of the six countries which contributes to half of adolescents living with HIV in the world and it is home to 120,000 living with HIV and nearly 900,000 children affected by HIV. Although effective treatment has transformed those living with HIV to have an almost-normal life span, the stigma associated with HIV and the multiple socioeconomic disadvantages lead to a deprived childhood and an unsupported environment for growing up. Such experiences lead children and adolescents living with HIV to not pay much attention to their physical fitness, which impacts their long-term physical and mental health outcomes.

Physical activity is a cost-effective, non-pharmacological approach that has been shown to effectively address the impairments caused by the AIDS virus. It is important for maintaining good health and quality of life among people living with HIV. The benefits of regular physical activity also include better school experiences and better self-efficacy.

The Positive Running program empowers children and youth by using athletics as a catalyst to harness their physical abilities and in doing so, develop the confidence to pursue an active, healthy and holistic lifestyle. The program brings together professionals to train children, ensures appropriate nutrition, and supports acquisition of training equipment. Regular fitness camps are conducted, bringing together children from other regions. The program encourages the children to participate in regional and national running events, to help them achieve greater heights, but at the same time, fostering the feeling of family and community. Since inception in 2021, over 500 HIV infected and affected children in Karnataka and Tamil Nadu states in southern India have actively participated in the Positive Running Program. The intervention is being evaluated to understand its impact on outcomes amongst adolescents and youth living with HIV, with a particular focus on gendered aspects of physical fitness and sports participation among young girls and women.

Through this position, the student will develop and strengthen knowledge and skills in numerous areas of global health research with a focus on HIV, adolescent health, social factors, physical fitness, and gender equity. This is a 2-month, full-time position that is preferably in-country (India) with the possibility of an extension. The student will report to Dr. Anita Shet and to Siddha Sannigrahi, Research Associate, and will work closely with the JHU team as well as our partners in India, RISHI Foundation and Snehagram.

Depending on the interests of the student, the aims of the student project may focus on the following areas:

1.        Interact with the local partners at Snehagram and other centers to understand project implementation approaches and challenges and assist in documentation of the Positive Running Program.

2.        Be involved in conducting sports camps for children living with HIV, and engage in teaching sessions within the camp.

3.        Assist with development of study tools to measure the impact of the running program on physical and mental health, resilience, and overall development of HIV-positive participants.

4.        Assist the JHU and Snehagram team with collection, management, and analysis of monitoring and evaluation data

5.        Assist with study tasks as needed, such as attending team calls, drafting IRB amendments, and assisting with writing manuscripts related to the Positive Running Program.

If interested, the student may choose to develop a research project of her/his interest that fits within the objectives of the project. At the end of the program, depending on the focus of the students work, the student will write a report documenting findings, share results with Snehagram where relevant, and/or submit a manuscript of their research for publication.

The student will be spending time in community settings (either in-person, or virtually through online meetings). The staff and implementing partners include some amazing youth with lived experience of HIV, are warm, welcoming, fun and supportive. This opportunity will provide the student a well-rounded exposure to global health. Housing is available in a natural and safe residential setting within Snehagram.

enjoys working in, or facilitating work in a community setting among HIV-infected and affected children and youth in an LMIC setting and gaining practical experience with a global health study. The student would also ideally have a high level of compassion, responsibility and independence, and should be able to interact regularly with adolescent participants and implementing partners in a professional manner. Past students have described this placement as incredibly fun and transformative. This opportunity enables a student to gain skills in many different aspects of a global health study. 

The placement will require experience in interacting with community members and research staff, and assisting with the administration of study protocols, case report forms, interviews and proposals. Knowledge of basic quantitative and qualitative data analysis is preferred.  Experience and knowledge on HIV and adolescent health would be a bonus. No specific language requirements are needed. A sense of fun, a love of the outdoors and of nature, and a passion to engage with youth would be welcome.

Name: Anita Shet, ashet1@jhu.edu

I would describe my communication and mentorship styles as... 

My aim is to foster an environment that promotes enthusiasm, compassion, mutual learning, organizational skills, and confidence building. I like to encourage thinking in rational ways and seek to create a learning environment to help students understand foundational concepts in child health, public health and infectious diseases. A big focus of our work in community-based participatory research. Students are such incredibly resourceful and integrated members of our research team. I would like students to explore their interests, gain new knowledge from this environment, contribute their skills towards this research, and know that their work is touching lives for the better. 

A complementary student would have a working style and mentorship expectations that are..

Students can develop independent thinking, and gain confidence as we progress in the mentorship. I would like students to be curious and creative, engage with local communities and absorb their wisdom, and enjoy the whole process while learning and doing, and think about how they can pay it forward. Working with institutional and community sites in LMIC settings requires patience, sensitivity and enthusiasm. The student can expect mentorship that is friendly, unbiased, respectful, honest, and constructive. Children and youth especially are one of the most fun populations to work with, and my hope is that students going through this experience will be transformed in a joyful and instructive manner. 

Estimated Costs:

Round trip flight to India: $1500
Housing: $300/month
Food: $100/month 
Local Transportation and internet/phone: $50/month 
Misc: $50/month
Total (excluding flights): $500/month (may be covered from project funds)
 

Additional support from PI:

If feasible, additional support may be provided. The student's accommodation and food expenses can be covered from project funds. In some cases, If the student extends project work beyond 2 months, a research assistantship may be offered.