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AIDS and Behavior
Published in: AIDS and Behavior 8/2023

17-01-2023 | Mood Disorders | Substantive Review

Mental Health Problems Across the HIV Care Continuum for Adolescents Living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review

Authors: Ohemaa B. Poku, Nora S. West, Evan L. Eschliman, Derek T. Dangerfield II, Judith Bass, Caitlin E. Kennedy, Sarah M. Murray

Published in: AIDS and Behavior | Issue 8/2023

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Abstract

Mental health problems (e.g., anxiety, depression) are frequently experienced by adolescents living with HIV (ALWH) and can worsen HIV-related outcomes. This scoping review synthesizes the existing research on ALWHs’ mental health problems at multiple steps along the HIV care continuum in sub-Saharan Africa. Searching PubMed, CINAHL, EMBASE, and PsycINFO identified 34 peer-reviewed studies that met inclusion criteria. Most studies assessed ALWHs’ mental health problems at the “Engaged or Retained in Care” continuum step, are cross-sectional, focus on depression and anxiety, and used measures developed in high-income countries. Studies identify mental health problems among ALWH as prevalent and barriers to care. Significant gaps remain in understanding how mental health problems and their relationships with HIV-related health outcomes shift across the continuum. Additional attention is needed, especially at the HIV testing and viral suppression steps, to generate a more comprehensive understanding of mental health needs and priority timepoints for intervention for ALWH.
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Metadata
Title
Mental Health Problems Across the HIV Care Continuum for Adolescents Living with HIV in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review
Authors
Ohemaa B. Poku
Nora S. West
Evan L. Eschliman
Derek T. Dangerfield II
Judith Bass
Caitlin E. Kennedy
Sarah M. Murray
Publication date
17-01-2023
Publisher
Springer US
Published in
AIDS and Behavior / Issue 8/2023
Print ISSN: 1090-7165
Electronic ISSN: 1573-3254
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s10461-023-03981-w

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