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

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 r

SUBMITTER: Poku OB 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10350473 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature