Evaluation of a psychosocial support intervention on adherence and retention in care among adolescents on antiretroviral treatment in Ehlanzeni District Municipality, Mpumalanga, South Africa

Abstract

In 2021, it was estimated that globally approximately 1.8 million adolescents (aged 10-19 years) were living with HIV, of whom over 90% resided in sub-Saharan Africa. While the global number of adolescents living with HIV fell by 57% from 2000 to 2020, the number of AIDS-related deaths amongst adolescents in eastern and southern Africa increased during the same period. Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) face many challenges related to adherence to antiretroviral treatment (ART) and remaining engaged in care. Some of these challenges result from the physiological and psychosocial characteristics of their stage of development. It is hypothesized that providing psychosocial support may mitigate high levels of anxiety, fear of disclosing their HIV-positive status, low self-esteem, low self-efficacy, depressive disorders, and suicide reported amongst adolescents living with HIV.