Skip to main content

Lund University Publications

LUND UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES

Psychosocial support and HIV-related stigma intervention needs of adolescents living with HIV in southern Ethiopia : insights from adolescents, caregivers, and healthcare providers

Mengesha, Melkamu Merid LU orcid ; Jerene, Degu LU ; Castor, Charlotte LU and Follin, Cecilia LU (2025) In Global Health Action 18(1).
Abstract

Background: HIV-related stigma interventions targeting adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) are limited. When available, most of these interventions operate at a single socioecological level and target a single stigma domain, and participatory design is rare. Objective: This study aimed to explore the psychosocial support intervention needs of ALHIV from the perspectives of adolescents, caregivers, and healthcare providers, and to develop a digital anti-HIV-related stigma intervention. Methods: A formative qualitative design with 27 in-depth interviews was conducted in three hospitals that provide an in-clinic psychosocial support to ALHIV in southern Ethiopia. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim, translated, and analysed... (More)

Background: HIV-related stigma interventions targeting adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) are limited. When available, most of these interventions operate at a single socioecological level and target a single stigma domain, and participatory design is rare. Objective: This study aimed to explore the psychosocial support intervention needs of ALHIV from the perspectives of adolescents, caregivers, and healthcare providers, and to develop a digital anti-HIV-related stigma intervention. Methods: A formative qualitative design with 27 in-depth interviews was conducted in three hospitals that provide an in-clinic psychosocial support to ALHIV in southern Ethiopia. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim, translated, and analysed using NVivo 14.0. Codes emerged from the data, leading to the development of categories and subcategories through qualitative content analysis. Results: The results are presented in three categories: coping with today, lowering barriers through knowledge and education, and worrying about future relationship. Fear of rejection and lack of trust led ALHIV to keep their status secret. Although adolescents were optimistic about their future in areas like education, achieving goals, and employment, they worried about forming relationships. Peer support groups offered valuable experiential support but struggled with geographical and logistical barriers. Digital tools emerged as a promising solution to overcome these barriers and enhance peer support group networking. Conclusion: Addressing nondisclosure reasons, such as fear of rejection and lack of emotional preparedness, and enhancing supportive networks can empower adolescents and strengthen their resilience. Their willingness to disclose and educate others can lay the groundwork for creating a stigma-free environment.

(Less)
Please use this url to cite or link to this publication:
author
; ; and
organization
publishing date
type
Contribution to journal
publication status
published
subject
keywords
digital peer support, exchange experience with peers, formative qualitative study, HIV status nondisclosure, mental health
in
Global Health Action
volume
18
issue
1
article number
2576956
publisher
Taylor & Francis
external identifiers
  • pmid:41190626
  • scopus:105020894165
ISSN
1654-9716
DOI
10.1080/16549716.2025.2576956
language
English
LU publication?
yes
additional info
Publisher Copyright: © 2025 The Author(s). Published by Informa UK Limited, trading as Taylor & Francis Group.
id
bd3d6abb-ca03-435c-b89e-ceda1a8a7f91
date added to LUP
2026-01-13 14:15:56
date last changed
2026-01-27 15:37:52
@article{bd3d6abb-ca03-435c-b89e-ceda1a8a7f91,
  abstract     = {{<p>Background: HIV-related stigma interventions targeting adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) are limited. When available, most of these interventions operate at a single socioecological level and target a single stigma domain, and participatory design is rare. Objective: This study aimed to explore the psychosocial support intervention needs of ALHIV from the perspectives of adolescents, caregivers, and healthcare providers, and to develop a digital anti-HIV-related stigma intervention. Methods: A formative qualitative design with 27 in-depth interviews was conducted in three hospitals that provide an in-clinic psychosocial support to ALHIV in southern Ethiopia. Audio-recorded interviews were transcribed verbatim, translated, and analysed using NVivo 14.0. Codes emerged from the data, leading to the development of categories and subcategories through qualitative content analysis. Results: The results are presented in three categories: coping with today, lowering barriers through knowledge and education, and worrying about future relationship. Fear of rejection and lack of trust led ALHIV to keep their status secret. Although adolescents were optimistic about their future in areas like education, achieving goals, and employment, they worried about forming relationships. Peer support groups offered valuable experiential support but struggled with geographical and logistical barriers. Digital tools emerged as a promising solution to overcome these barriers and enhance peer support group networking. Conclusion: Addressing nondisclosure reasons, such as fear of rejection and lack of emotional preparedness, and enhancing supportive networks can empower adolescents and strengthen their resilience. Their willingness to disclose and educate others can lay the groundwork for creating a stigma-free environment.</p>}},
  author       = {{Mengesha, Melkamu Merid and Jerene, Degu and Castor, Charlotte and Follin, Cecilia}},
  issn         = {{1654-9716}},
  keywords     = {{digital peer support; exchange experience with peers; formative qualitative study; HIV status nondisclosure; mental health}},
  language     = {{eng}},
  number       = {{1}},
  publisher    = {{Taylor & Francis}},
  series       = {{Global Health Action}},
  title        = {{Psychosocial support and HIV-related stigma intervention needs of adolescents living with HIV in southern Ethiopia : insights from adolescents, caregivers, and healthcare providers}},
  url          = {{http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/16549716.2025.2576956}},
  doi          = {{10.1080/16549716.2025.2576956}},
  volume       = {{18}},
  year         = {{2025}},
}