We are experiencing pain on our own

Mental health care to prevail over impacts of cultural silence on HIV

Dados Bibliográficos

ID6072998
AutoresGertrude Mwalabu (0000-0003-1681-1863, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences), Catrin Evans (0000-0002-5338-2191, University of Nottingham), Sarah Redsell (0000-0002-2176-2325, Anglia Ruskin University), Pammla Petruka (University of Saskatchewan), Patrick Mapulanga (0000-0002-0305-3736, Kamuzu University of Health Sciences)
Ano2024
Volume17
Fascículo4
Páginas463-474
Data de publicação2024-08-29
Peer ReviewedSim
Open AccessNão
TipoARTICLE
PeriódicoInternational Journal of Human Rights in Healthcare (JOURNAL)
Identificadores do periódicoISSN: 2056-4902 • E-ISSN: 2056-4910
EditoraEmerald (PUBLISHER)
DOI10.1108/ijhrh-08-2022-0089
OpenAlexW4361224684
IdiomaEN
Referências citadas40

Purpose This qualitative case study aims to investigate how current services meet the emotional needs of young women growing up with perinatally acquired human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Young women (15–19 years old), caregivers and service providers were recruited through three multidisciplinary HIV management centres in Malawi. Design/methodology/approach In-depth interviews were used to collect data for 14 “cases” (each “case” involved a young woman, a caregiver and a service provider, for a total of 42 participants). The interviews with adolescents were conducted using an innovative visual method known as the “my story” book. Findings Thematic analysis revealed that young women experienced traumatic experiences and emotional neglect after being diagnosed as HIV positive. Lack of adult support networks and social isolation were identified as intersecting factors contributing to their mental distress. According to the findings of this study, HIV care should more explicitly include comprehensive mental health-care services. This provision should include ongoing individualised counselling sessions, supplemented by communication skills training to help break the prevalent cultural silence on HIV issues. Young people living with HIV, in general, and young women, are more likely to experience mental health issues than their non-infected peers. Integrating comprehensive mental health evaluation and treatment into HIV care for young people can be beneficial. Practical implications Mental health issues are critical and underserved challenges among young people living with perinatally acquired HIV. Women experience a higher prevalence of mental challenges than men. Integrating comprehensive mental health evaluation and treatment into HIV care for young people can be beneficial. Therefore, interventions to assist young people with mental health issues are needed within the context of HIV management in Malawi. Originality/value Many studies on mental health and HIV/AIDS have been conducted. However, there is very little information as regards the emotional needs of young women growing up with perinatally acquired HIV. This study fills the void

Mental distress · Mental health · Neglect · Psychiatry · Qualitative research · Thematic analysis · Adolescent Sexual and Reproductive Health · HIV/AIDS Research and Interventions · Medicine · Nursing · Poverty, Education, and Child Welfare · Psychology