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Evaluating mental health difficulties and associated outcomes among HIV-positive adolescents in Tanzania.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Dow, DE; Turner, EL; Shayo, AM; Mmbaga, B; Cunningham, CK; O'Donnell, K
Published in: AIDS Care
July 2016

AIDS-related mortality among HIV-positive adolescents has risen by 50% despite the scale up of antiretroviral therapy (ART). ART maladherence likely plays a role in the increase of AIDS-related deaths among adolescents and has shown to be associated with psychosocial and mental health difficulties. Addressing the specific mental health needs of HIV-positive adolescents is critical to ending the HIV epidemic. This cross-sectional study prospectively enrolled HIV-positive adolescents (12-24 years) in Moshi, Tanzania. A structured questionnaire was administered that included questions about home, school, adherence, and measures of stigma (Berger Stigma Scale) and mental health. Mental health measures included depression (Patient Health Questionnaire-9), emotional/behavioral difficulties (Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire), and traumatic experiences/post-traumatic stress symptoms (The University of California Los Angeles-post-traumatic stress disorder-Reaction Index). Mental health difficulties were prevalent among HIV-positive adolescents and were associated with incomplete adherence and stigma. Resources are needed to reduce HIV stigma and address mental health among HIV-positive adolescents in low-resource settings. This will improve not only mental health, but may also improve ART adherence and virologic suppression, improving overall health of the individual and reducing the risk of HIV transmission to others.

Duke Scholars

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Published In

AIDS Care

DOI

EISSN

1360-0451

Publication Date

July 2016

Volume

28

Issue

7

Start / End Page

825 / 833

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Tanzania
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
  • Social Stigma
  • Public Health
  • Prevalence
  • Needs Assessment
  • Mental Health
  • Medication Adherence
 

Citation

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Chicago
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MLA
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Dow, D. E., Turner, E. L., Shayo, A. M., Mmbaga, B., Cunningham, C. K., & O’Donnell, K. (2016). Evaluating mental health difficulties and associated outcomes among HIV-positive adolescents in Tanzania. AIDS Care, 28(7), 825–833. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540121.2016.1139043
Dow, Dorothy E., Elizabeth L. Turner, Aisa M. Shayo, Blandina Mmbaga, Coleen K. Cunningham, and Karen O’Donnell. “Evaluating mental health difficulties and associated outcomes among HIV-positive adolescents in Tanzania.AIDS Care 28, no. 7 (July 2016): 825–33. https://doi.org/10.1080/09540121.2016.1139043.
Dow DE, Turner EL, Shayo AM, Mmbaga B, Cunningham CK, O’Donnell K. Evaluating mental health difficulties and associated outcomes among HIV-positive adolescents in Tanzania. AIDS Care. 2016 Jul;28(7):825–33.
Dow, Dorothy E., et al. “Evaluating mental health difficulties and associated outcomes among HIV-positive adolescents in Tanzania.AIDS Care, vol. 28, no. 7, July 2016, pp. 825–33. Pubmed, doi:10.1080/09540121.2016.1139043.
Dow DE, Turner EL, Shayo AM, Mmbaga B, Cunningham CK, O’Donnell K. Evaluating mental health difficulties and associated outcomes among HIV-positive adolescents in Tanzania. AIDS Care. 2016 Jul;28(7):825–833.

Published In

AIDS Care

DOI

EISSN

1360-0451

Publication Date

July 2016

Volume

28

Issue

7

Start / End Page

825 / 833

Location

England

Related Subject Headings

  • Young Adult
  • Tanzania
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic
  • Social Stigma
  • Public Health
  • Prevalence
  • Needs Assessment
  • Mental Health
  • Medication Adherence