Multi-level challenges and opportunities in providing antiretroviral treatment to adolescents in Kenya

Abstract

ABSTRACT Adolescents have poor antiretroviral therapy (ART) outcomes due to multi-level factors. Adolescent and youth-friendly services (AYFS) have been implemented to address this. Adolescents on ART and HIV clinic managers were interviewed on their experiences with HIV care provision. Facility infrastructure was assessed using a standardized checklist. A 10-point criterion was set for AYFS. Descriptive analysis was used for quantitative data while qualitative data were thematically grouped and coded. Eighty-nine adolescents were interviewed including 46 males (52%) and 43 females (48%). The median age was 16.9 years (Interquartile range: 14.6–19.1 years). Some 36 (40.4%) adolescents raised the following facility-level challenges: long turnaround time, 12 (33.3%); clinic-school calendar conflict, 6 (16.7%); lack of digital media, 4 (11.1%); inadequate staff, 4 (11.1%) while another 10 (27.6%) cited lack of privacy, adolescent day and support groups. Clinic managers listed the availability of separate adolescents’ days, adolescent-specific support groups, adolescent champion and use of social media as best practices. They listed several facility-related, society-related and adolescent-related challenges. Six facilities met six criteria of adolescent-friendliness (60%), one met five (50%) while two met four (40%). Although progress has been made in providing AYFS, key challenges remain that call for multi-sectoral interventions to ensure good ART outcomes.