Lived experiences of perinatally HIV infected youth; the case of Zewditu memorial hospital; Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
No Thumbnail Available
Date
2018-06
Authors
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Addis Ababa Universty
Abstract
Background: HIV continued to be a major global public health issue for the past three
decades. Despite the relative control of the epidemic, about one million people had died
globally from HIV related cause in 2016 only. In Ethiopia there were 665,116 people who
were aged 15 years and above living with HIV in 2017. Youth who acquired HIV from their
mothers at birth is an emerging threat for HIV transmission unless control measures are taken
before their sexual debut. Learning experiences of these youth is important to address their
needs and control HIV transmission. However much has not done in this area. We therefore
conducted this study with the aim of exploring the lived experiences of youth who had
acquired HIV perinatally to contribute to the HIV prevention and control program.
Methods: We conducted a qualitative study using a phenomenological approach from March
to May 2018 at Zewditu Memorial Hospital, Addis Ababa. We purposively selected 16
youth who had acquired HIV vertically. A semi structured interview guide was used to
collect data through in- depth interviews. Data were audio taped, transcribed verbatim and
translated to English by the principal investigator. The translated data were read and re-read
several times and then coded using Open Code version 4.02 software. Basic principles were
followed to assure trustworthiness. Study participants were recruited based on their
willingness after informed consent and assent. Following interpretative phenomenological
analysis; results are summarized with emerged themes.
Findings: Seven males and nine females aged 16 to 22 years participated in the study. Youth
in this study feel that they got the disease that they do not deserve to have it. They believed
that they benefit more from not disclosing their status than disclosing to people around them
because of fear of stigma and discrimination. Half of them have ever had sexual relations and
four girls had unprotected sex starting at age of 17-18. Among those, two had unprotected sex
with positive partners, one with a partner who has a negative sero-status while the other one
did not know the status of the partner. Most are interested to have love mate of the same
health status, wish to have purposeful life and play their role in prevention of HIV.
Conclusion: this study found that youth with perinatally acquired HIV had engaged in sexual
relation with youth who had both positive and negative-sero-status. In addition, the fact that
they do not want to disclose their status because of fear of stigma and discrimination also
indicated the need for more work in the HIV prevention program. Challenges related to
disclosure, pill-load and fear of what the future will bring in their life should be closely
followed to their future life.
Description
Keywords
Youth, Perinatally acquired HIV, Mother to child Transmission, phenomenology