The secret life of young adolescents living with HIV in northern Mozambique - a mixed methods study

Joana Falcão,Joanne Mantell,Claude Ann Mellins,Allison Zerbe,Elaine J Abrams,Kirsty Brittain,Bill Kapogiannis,Teresa Beatriz Simione,Eduarda Pimentel De Gusmao

doi:10.1186/s12889-021-11707-7

Abstract

BackgroundIn Mozambique, HIV infection remains a leading cause of adolescent mortality. With advances in antiretroviral treatment (ART), the population of adolescents living with vertically-acquired HIV is growing. Most studies of adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) focus on older youth with horizontal infection. As part of a larger study, we examined the characteristics and health care needs of younger ALHIV, including those with vertically-acquired infection to inform preventive interventions.MethodsWe used a convergent mixed-methods design and recruited ALHIV aged 12–14 years who were enrolled in HIV care in three health clinics in Nampula, Mozambique. From 11/2019–3/2020, we conducted 61 quantitative surveys and 14 in-depth interviews with a purposively selected subset of ALHIV who were aware of their HIV status. Descriptive statistical analysis was conducted for quantitative data. Qualitative data were transcribed and analyzed using thematic analysis.ResultsThe median age of ALHIV was 13 years, 50% were female, 67% lived with ≥1 parent, 70% had lost a parent, 100% were in school; 10% were in a relationship, and 3% had initiated sexual activity. Among 31 ALHIV aware of their serostatus, the median age of antiretroviral treatment (ART) initiation was 8 years (IQR: 6–11); 55% received caregiver support for ART management; 35% reported missing ≥1 ART dose in the last 30 days; 6% had disclosed their HIV-status to friends and 48% reported no one to talk to about HIV-specific issues. Four main themes emerged from the qualitative interviews with ALHIV: a) learning one’s HIV-positive status as the beginning of a secret life; b) importance of caregivers’ support for ART management; c) high value of ALHIV peer support to overcome isolation, increase HIV literacy, and support adherence; and d) unmet needs for sexual and reproductive health education.ConclusionHIV-related secrecy prevails among ALHIV, a situation exacerbated by caregivers and healthcare providers. Caregivers play a major role in supporting adherence among young ALHIV, yet ALHIV could also benefit from adolescent-friendly services, including peer support, sexual and reproductive health services and preparation for independent health management. Integrating such programs into ART services in Mozambique may be critical to promoting ALHIV health.

Highlights

Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) are a heterogeneous population and include individuals with both vertically- and horizontally-acquired HIV infection
As part of the formative work to develop the CombinADO intervention, aimed at improving health outcomes among adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) in Nampula, Mozambique, we explored the lived experiences of young ALHIV (12–14 years) obtaining services in three health facilities in northern Mozambique to enhance our understanding of the health needs of this population and inform intervention development
Demographic characteristics of the 14 in-depth interviews (IDIs) participants were similar to those of the larger group of 61 ALHIV survey participants, but all were aware of their HIV status (Table 1)

Summary

Introduction

Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) are a heterogeneous population and include individuals with both vertically- and horizontally-acquired HIV infection. With advances in antiretroviral treatment (ART) leading to global reductions in new pediatric HIV infections, as well as increased lifespan of those living with HIV, the population of adolescents with vertically-acquired HIV is growing. Adolescence is a period of accelerated growth and development across the trajectory from childhood to adulthood. Less is known about the needs and experiences of younger adolescents, those with perinatally-acquired infection who are entering this challenging period. With advances in antiretroviral treatment (ART), the population of adolescents living with vertically-acquired HIV is growing. Most studies of adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) focus on older youth with horizontal infection. As part of a larger study, we examined the characteristics and health care needs of younger ALHIV, including those with verticallyacquired infection to inform preventive interventions

Methods

Results

Discussion

Conclusion