Dilemma of HIV status disclosure among sexually active 14-19-year-old adolescent boys and its effects on viral load suppression in Siaya County, Kenya

Simon Peter; Erick Otieno Nyambedha; Charles Omondi Olang’o

doi:10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20260660

Authors

Simon Peter Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Maseno University, Kisumu, Kenya
Erick Otieno Nyambedha Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Maseno University, Kisumu, Kenya
Charles Omondi Olang’o Department of Sociology and Anthropology, Maseno University, Kisumu, Kenya

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.18203/2394-6040.ijcmph20260660

Keywords:

Adolescent boys, ART adherence, HIV status disclosure, Sexually active partners, VL suppression

Abstract

Background: Stigma related to HIV status disclosure creates a great dilemma among AIDS patients and is associated with ART non-adherence and mortality particularly in the developing world. Worldwide, adolescents aged 14-19 constituted 69% of HIV-related deaths, with boys on ART making up 68% of such deaths in areas such as Siaya County of Kenya in 2020. While non-suppression of VL is associated with HIV-related deaths among others, a dearth of literature however exists on whether adolescent boys are more prone to stigma related to HIV status disclosure. This paper sought to investigate how stigma-related to HIV status disclosure among sexually active 14-19-year-old adolescent boys in Siaya County, Kenya.

Methods: This cross-sectional study used questionnaire to collect quantitative data from 263 adolescent boys on ART. Qualitative data was also collected from a section of the boys using focus group discussion guide and in-depth interviews, alongside seven comprehensive care-in charge (CCC), the county AIDS/HIV and STI coordinator (CASCO), sub county AIDS coordinators (SCACOs), and public benefit organizations (PBO) officials.

Results: The correlation between disclosure to partners and VL suppression (r=0.072; p=0.122) and multiple sexual partners and VL suppression (r=0.023; p=0.353) were found not to be significant, while that of disclosure to partners and multiple sexual partners (r=0.391; p=0.000) was significant.

Conclusions: The study concluded that stigma-related to HIV status disclosure to partners has a direct and significant effect on multiple-sexual behaviour, a risk factor to VL suppression endeavour. Targeted interventions should aim at addressing HIV status disclosure among the adolescent boys.

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