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Wiggins L, O’Malley G, Wagner AD, Mutisya I, Wilson KS, Lawrence S, Moraa H, Kinuthia J, Itindi J, Muhenje O, Chen TH, Singa B, Mcgrath CJ, Ngugi E, Katana A, Ng′ang′a L, John-Stewart G, Kholer P, Beima-Sofie K. 'They can stigmatize you': a qualitative assessment of the influence of school factors on engagement in care and medication adherence among adolescents with HIV in Western Kenya. Health Educ Res 2022; 37:355-363. [PMID: 36053049 PMCID: PMC9502837 DOI: 10.1093/her/cyac018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/11/2021] [Revised: 07/08/2022] [Accepted: 08/01/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
School-related factors may influence retention in care and adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART) among adolescents with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). We analyzed data from in-depth interviews with 40 adolescents with HIV (aged 14 -19 years), 40 caregivers of adolescents with HIV, and 4 focus group discussions with healthcare workers to evaluate contextual factors affecting adherence to ART and clinic attendance among adolescents, with a focus on the school environment. Informed by Anderson's Model of Health Services Utilization, transcripts were systematically coded and synthesized to identify school-related themes. All groups identified the school environment as a critical barrier to engagement in HIV care and medication adherence for adolescents with HIV. Adolescent participants reported inflexible school schedules and disclosure to school staff as the biggest challenges adhering to clinic appointments and ART. Adolescents described experiencing stigma and discrimination by peers and school staff and would adjust when, where and how often they took ART to avoid inadvertent disclosure. Boarding school students faced challenges because they had limited private space or time. Caregivers were often instrumental in navigating school permissions, including identifying a treatment supporter among school staff. Additional research engaging school staff may guide interventions for schools to reduce stigma and improve adherence and retention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lisa Wiggins
- Department of Child Family and Population Health Nursing
| | - Gabrielle O’Malley
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Anjuli D Wagner
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Immaculate Mutisya
- Division of Global HIV & Tuberculosis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Kate S Wilson
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Sarah Lawrence
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Hellen Moraa
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Nairobi, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - John Kinuthia
- Department of Research and Programs, Kenyatta National Hospital, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Janet Itindi
- Centre for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Odylia Muhenje
- Division of Global HIV & Tuberculosis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Tai-Ho Chen
- Division of Global HIV & Tuberculosis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Benson Singa
- Centre for Clinical Research, Kenya Medical Research Institute, Nairobi, Kenya
| | | | - Evelyn Ngugi
- Division of Global HIV & Tuberculosis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Abraham Katana
- Division of Global HIV & Tuberculosis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Lucy Ng′ang′a
- Division of Global HIV & Tuberculosis, U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, Nairobi, Kenya
| | - Grace John-Stewart
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Epidemiology, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
- Department of Medicine, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
| | - Pamela Kholer
- Department of Child Family and Population Health Nursing
- Department of Global Health, University of Washington, Seattle, Washington
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