Mental health, substance use and viral suppression in adolescents receiving ART at a paediatric HIV clinic in South Africa.

ABSTRACT:

Introduction

Mental health problems are prevalent in adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV), often remain untreated, and may negatively affect antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence and viral suppression. We implemented routine mental health screening at a paediatric ART clinic to improve the identification and management of mental health problems in ALHIV. In this report, we examine screening outcomes, associated patient characteristics and the odds of unsuppressed viral load in ALHIV screening positive for mental disorders.

Methods

Adolescents aged 10 to 19 years attending Rahima Moosa Hospital in Johannesburg, South Africa between February 1, 2018, and January 1, 2020, were offered mental health screening at each routine HIV care visit. The screening included four pre-screen

SUBMITTER: Haas AD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC7720277 | biostudies-literature | 2020 Dec

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature