TITLE:
Acceptance and Experience of HIV-Infected Adolescents in Two Hospitals in Yaoundé
AUTHORS:
Isabelle Mekone Nkwele, Nelly Kamgaing, Pierrette Amanda Emah Manga, Jeannette Épée Ngoué, Hélène Kamo Sélangai, Claude Audrey Meguieze, Nsoh Ndeh-Fofang, Serge Tchoukoua, Jean-Baptiste Fotso Djemo, Paul Koki Ndombo
KEYWORDS:
HIV, Adolescent, Acceptance, Experience
JOURNAL NAME:
Open Journal of Pediatrics,
Vol.14 No.2,
March
28,
2024
ABSTRACT: Introduction: Access to antiretroviral drugs has improved the
survival of children infected with the Human Immunodeficiency
Virus (HIV). As they reach adolescence, they are confronted with various
constraints related to the infection and its treatment, in addition to those of
the growth period they are going through. The main aim of the study was to
assess the acceptance and describe the experience of HIV infection by infected
adolescents but also to investigate the
factors associated with good acceptance and a positive experience. Methodology: The cross-sectional analytic study concerned HIV-infected adolescents aged 15 to 19 followed up at the Chantal Biya Foundation-Mother and
Child Centre (CME-FCB) and the Yaoundé University Hospital Centre (CHUY)
between February 2020 and June 2020. The study saw participants complete a
questionnaire containing socio-demographic data and assessing acceptance and
experience with the infection. Data analysis was accomplished using Epi info
software version 7.2.2.6. Results: One hundred and thirteen HIV-infected adolescents were included in the
study. The sex ratio was 0.68 and the mean age was 17 years. More than half of
the adolescents had a good acceptance and
positive experience with the infection. Related factors were the adolescent’s perception of good health and
participation in an association with other infected adolescents. Conclusion: Emphasizing the psychological and educational follow-up of infected
adolescents and encouraging their participation
in associations for adolescents living with HIV could reduce the consequences of poor acceptance and ensure a better transition to adulthood.