"She held my hand and advised me": Young migrants' experiences of individual peer support to access health and social services in two small towns in southwestern Uganda.

Abstract

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.