HIV-Related Knowledge, Attitudes, Behaviors and Experiences of Kenyan Adolescents Living with HIV Revealed in WhatsApp Group Chats

Overview

Journal J Int Assoc Provid AIDS Care

Publisher Sage Publications

Specialty Infectious Diseases

Date 2021 Mar 4

PMID 33657911

Citations 13

Authors

Ashley Chory

Winstone Nyandiko

Roxanne Martin

Josephine Aluoch

Michael Scanlon

Celestine Ashimosi

Tabitha Njoroge

Carole McAteer

Edith Apondi

Rachel Vreeman

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Introduction: Mobile technologies represent a scalable platform for delivering knowledge and interventions targeting adolescents living with HIV (ALWH) in low and middle income countries. Data from mobile interventions can be used to assess the contextual understanding and experiences of ALWH.

Methods: We examined HIV-related knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and experiences of Kenyan ALWH revealed in the contextual data from enrollment in a WhatsApp® group chat intervention.

Results: Thirty ALWH (17 female, mean age 15.4) on ART, engaged in HIV care and aware of their status, were enrolled. Qualitative analysis of WhatsApp® chat discussions identified a gap in HIV knowledge, high medication-taking literacy, need for mental health support and significant barriers to adherence. Participants discussed challenges with HIV stigma and medication-taking in the school setting.

Conclusion: These discussions demonstrate a need for education on HIV topics, mental health support for ALWH, and interventions for stigma mitigation in the school setting.

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