HIV-Related Knowledge, Attitudes, Behaviors and Experiences of Kenyan Adolescents Living with HIV Revealed in WhatsApp Group Chats.

Journal: Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care

Volume: 20

Issue: 

Year of Publication: 2021

Affiliated Institutions:  Department of Global Health and Health System Design, Arnhold Institute for Global Health, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. Academic Model Providing Access to Healthcare (AMPATH), Eldoret, Kenya. Indiana University School of Medicine, Indiana, USA.

Abstract summary 

Mobile technologies represent a scalable platform for delivering knowledge and interventions targeting adolescents living with HIV (ALWH) in low and middle income countries. Data from mobile interventions can be used to assess the contextual understanding and experiences of ALWH.We examined HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and experiences of Kenyan ALWH revealed in the contextual data from enrollment in a WhatsApp® group chat intervention.Thirty ALWH (17 female, mean age 15.4) on ART, engaged in HIV care and aware of their status, were enrolled. Qualitative analysis of WhatsApp® chat discussions identified a gap in HIV knowledge, high medication-taking literacy, need for mental health support and significant barriers to adherence. Participants discussed challenges with HIV stigma and medication-taking in the school setting.These discussions demonstrate a need for education on HIV topics, mental health support for ALWH, and interventions for stigma mitigation in the school setting.

Authors & Co-authors:  Chory Nyandiko Martin Aluoch Scanlon Ashimosi Njoroge McAteer Apondi Vreeman

Study Outcome 

Source Link: Visit source

Statistics
Citations :  WHO. Adolescent health epidemiology. Maternal, newborn, child and adolescent health. 2016. World Health Organization. https://www.who.int/maternal_child_adolescent/epidemiology/policy-indicators/en/
Authors :  10
Identifiers
Doi : 2325958221999579
SSN : 2325-9582
Study Population
Male,Female
Mesh Terms
Adolescent
Other Terms
HIV;Kenya;WhatsApp;adolescents;mHealth
Study Design
Study Approach
Qualitative
Country of Study
Kenya
Publication Country
United States