Prevalence and factors associated with mental health challenges among adolescents with HIV and viral non-suppression in rural northern Uganda

Bibliographic Data

ID22077487
AuthorsJeremiah Mutinye Kwesiga (0000-0001-5507-1664, Uganda Virus Research Institute), Justine Diana Namuli (Makerere University), Benedict Akimana (0000-0001-8522-1440, Butabika Hospital), Joyce Nalugya Serunjogi (Mulago Hospital), Sabrina Bakeera Kitaka (Makerere University), Seggane Musisi (0000-0002-3454-0000, Makerere University), Musisi Seggane, Pontiano Kaleebu (0000-0001-9706-2977, Uganda Virus Research Institute), Moffat Nyirenda (0000-0003-2120-4806, Uganda Virus Research Institute), Etheldreda Nakimuli‐Mpungu (0000-0001-6857-8931, Uganda Virus Research Institute, corresponding author), Etheldreda Nakimuli-Mpungu
Year2025
Volume13
Pages1568575-1568575
Publication date2025-06-20
Open AccessYes
TypeARTICLE
VenueFrontiers in Public Health (JOURNAL)
Journal identifiersISSN: 2296-2565 • E-ISSN: 2296-2565
PublisherFrontiers Media SA (PUBLISHER • CH)
DOI10.3389/fpubh.2025.1568575
PMID40620568
OpenAlexW4411501115
LanguageEN
References cited57

Introduction Adolescents 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. Methods In 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. Results Emotional 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 (χ 2 = 0.009; p = 0.94). Conclusion These 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

Environmental health · Mental health · Psychiatry · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · Virology

Tools

Open DOIOpen Access