Prevalence and factors associated with mental health challenges among adolescents with HIV and viral non-suppression in rural northern Uganda
IntroductionAdolescents living with HIV (ALWH) face significant mental health challenges, such as depression and anxiety, which negatively impact their HIV treatment outcomes. This study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with mental health challenges among adolescents with unsuppres...
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2025-06-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Public Health |
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| Online Access: | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1568575/full |
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| author | Jeremiah Mutinye Kwesiga Jeremiah Mutinye Kwesiga Justine Diana Namuli Benedict Akimana Joyce Nalugya Serunjogi Joyce Nalugya Serunjogi Sabrina Bakeera Kitaka Musisi Seggane Pontiano Kaleebu Moffat Nyirenda Etheldreda Nakimuli-Mpungu Etheldreda Nakimuli-Mpungu |
| author_facet | Jeremiah Mutinye Kwesiga Jeremiah Mutinye Kwesiga Justine Diana Namuli Benedict Akimana Joyce Nalugya Serunjogi Joyce Nalugya Serunjogi Sabrina Bakeera Kitaka Musisi Seggane Pontiano Kaleebu Moffat Nyirenda Etheldreda Nakimuli-Mpungu Etheldreda Nakimuli-Mpungu |
| author_sort | Jeremiah Mutinye Kwesiga |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | IntroductionAdolescents living with HIV (ALWH) face significant mental health challenges, such as depression and anxiety, which negatively impact their HIV treatment outcomes. This study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with mental health challenges among adolescents with unsuppressed viral loads in Northern Uganda.MethodsIn 2021, 121 dyads of caregivers and ALWH (10 to 18 years) with unsuppressed viral loads were recruited from five community-based HIV clinics in Kitgum district. They were assessed for mental health challenges using the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS-25), the Patterson Suicide Risk Assessment Tool and the Clinician-administered Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Scale for Children and Adolescents (CAPS-CA). Bivariate and multivariate analysis of the data was carried out using STATA version 18.ResultsEmotional problems were observed in 61.97% of participants. Among these, depression was present in 45.45% of individuals, and all participants diagnosed with depression also exhibited significant comorbid anxiety symptoms. Notably, 16.52% of participants experienced anxiety without comorbid depression. Having food security (OR = 0.03; p = 0.003), and the absence of recurrent infections (OR = 0.47; p = 0.023) were protective against mental health challenges. However, significant post-traumatic stress symptoms were independently associated with mental health challenges (OR = 1.33; p < 0.0001). No significant association was observed between emotional problems and gender (χ2 = 0.009; p = 0.94).ConclusionThese results emphasize the importance of addressing underlying socio-economic and psychological factors to improve mental health well-being. Targeted interventions focused on reducing barriers to resources and providing mental health support are essential for fostering equitable mental health outcomes. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-5fc723c8ad9b440e98eaca28bdeff014 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2296-2565 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-06-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
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| series | Frontiers in Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-5fc723c8ad9b440e98eaca28bdeff0142025-08-20T03:21:50ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Public Health2296-25652025-06-011310.3389/fpubh.2025.15685751568575Prevalence and factors associated with mental health challenges among adolescents with HIV and viral non-suppression in rural northern UgandaJeremiah Mutinye Kwesiga0Jeremiah Mutinye Kwesiga1Justine Diana Namuli2Benedict Akimana3Joyce Nalugya Serunjogi4Joyce Nalugya Serunjogi5Sabrina Bakeera Kitaka6Musisi Seggane7Pontiano Kaleebu8Moffat Nyirenda9Etheldreda Nakimuli-Mpungu10Etheldreda Nakimuli-Mpungu11Medical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI/ LSHTM) Research Unit, Entebbe, UgandaSEEK Group Support Psychotherapy Initiative, Kampala, UgandaDepartment of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, UgandaButabika National Referral Mental Hospital, Ministry of Health of Uganda, Kampala, UgandaDepartment of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, UgandaDepartment of Psychiatry, Mulago National Referral and Teaching Hospital, Ministry of Health, Kampala, UgandaDepartment of Pediatrics, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, UgandaDepartment of Psychiatry, College of Health Sciences, Makerere University, Kampala, UgandaMedical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI/ LSHTM) Research Unit, Entebbe, UgandaMedical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI/ LSHTM) Research Unit, Entebbe, UgandaMedical Research Council, Uganda Virus Research Institute and London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine (MRC/UVRI/ LSHTM) Research Unit, Entebbe, UgandaSEEK Group Support Psychotherapy Initiative, Kampala, UgandaIntroductionAdolescents living with HIV (ALWH) face significant mental health challenges, such as depression and anxiety, which negatively impact their HIV treatment outcomes. This study investigated the prevalence and factors associated with mental health challenges among adolescents with unsuppressed viral loads in Northern Uganda.MethodsIn 2021, 121 dyads of caregivers and ALWH (10 to 18 years) with unsuppressed viral loads were recruited from five community-based HIV clinics in Kitgum district. They were assessed for mental health challenges using the Revised Child Anxiety and Depression Scale (RCADS-25), the Patterson Suicide Risk Assessment Tool and the Clinician-administered Post-traumatic Stress Disorder Scale for Children and Adolescents (CAPS-CA). Bivariate and multivariate analysis of the data was carried out using STATA version 18.ResultsEmotional problems were observed in 61.97% of participants. Among these, depression was present in 45.45% of individuals, and all participants diagnosed with depression also exhibited significant comorbid anxiety symptoms. Notably, 16.52% of participants experienced anxiety without comorbid depression. Having food security (OR = 0.03; p = 0.003), and the absence of recurrent infections (OR = 0.47; p = 0.023) were protective against mental health challenges. However, significant post-traumatic stress symptoms were independently associated with mental health challenges (OR = 1.33; p < 0.0001). No significant association was observed between emotional problems and gender (χ2 = 0.009; p = 0.94).ConclusionThese results emphasize the importance of addressing underlying socio-economic and psychological factors to improve mental health well-being. Targeted interventions focused on reducing barriers to resources and providing mental health support are essential for fostering equitable mental health outcomes.https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1568575/fulladolescentsHIVunsuppressed viral loaddepressionanxietyUganda |
| spellingShingle | Jeremiah Mutinye Kwesiga Jeremiah Mutinye Kwesiga Justine Diana Namuli Benedict Akimana Joyce Nalugya Serunjogi Joyce Nalugya Serunjogi Sabrina Bakeera Kitaka Musisi Seggane Pontiano Kaleebu Moffat Nyirenda Etheldreda Nakimuli-Mpungu Etheldreda Nakimuli-Mpungu Prevalence and factors associated with mental health challenges among adolescents with HIV and viral non-suppression in rural northern Uganda Frontiers in Public Health adolescents HIV unsuppressed viral load depression anxiety Uganda |
| title | Prevalence and factors associated with mental health challenges among adolescents with HIV and viral non-suppression in rural northern Uganda |
| title_full | Prevalence and factors associated with mental health challenges among adolescents with HIV and viral non-suppression in rural northern Uganda |
| title_fullStr | Prevalence and factors associated with mental health challenges among adolescents with HIV and viral non-suppression in rural northern Uganda |
| title_full_unstemmed | Prevalence and factors associated with mental health challenges among adolescents with HIV and viral non-suppression in rural northern Uganda |
| title_short | Prevalence and factors associated with mental health challenges among adolescents with HIV and viral non-suppression in rural northern Uganda |
| title_sort | prevalence and factors associated with mental health challenges among adolescents with hiv and viral non suppression in rural northern uganda |
| topic | adolescents HIV unsuppressed viral load depression anxiety Uganda |
| url | https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpubh.2025.1568575/full |
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