Kabunga Amir, Nabasirye Caroline Kambugu, Kigingo Eustes, Namata Halimah, Shikanga Enos Mwirotsi, Udho Samson, Auma Anna Grace, Nabaziwa Jannat, Tumwesigye Raymond, Musinguzi Marvin, Okalo Ponsiano, Acup Walter
Department of Psychiatry, Lira University, Lira City, Uganda.
Department of Midwifery, Lira University, Lira City, Uganda.
HIV AIDS (Auckl). 2024 May 16;16:217-227. doi: 10.2147/HIV.S463506. eCollection 2024.
The HIV epidemic disproportionately affects adolescents in Sub-Saharan Africa, with adolescent girls facing heightened vulnerability. Despite advancements in antiretroviral therapy, HIV-related stigma remains prevalent, particularly among pregnant adolescents. This qualitative study explores the perspectives of adolescents living with HIV in southwestern Uganda, seeking to understand the nature of HIV-related stigma in this context.
One-on-one narrative interviews were conducted with 28 pregnant adolescents living with HIV aged 14-19 receiving care at Mbarara Regional Referral Hospital. The qualitative approach allowed for in-depth exploration of participants' experiences. Thematic analysis was employed to identify recurring patterns in the narratives.
Five overarching themes emerged from the analysis: Experiences of double stigma, social and cultural influences shaping stigma, healthcare system challenges, psychosocial impacts of stigma, and resilience and coping mechanisms. Double stigma, arising from societal prejudices related to both HIV status and teenage pregnancy, created a complex environment for participants. Despite these challenges, participants exhibited resilience through external support and internal strength.
This study reveals the pervasive double stigma experienced by pregnant adolescents living with HIV in southwestern Uganda, driven by societal biases against both HIV status and teenage pregnancy. Urgent targeted interventions are needed to address the intersectionality of stigma, cultural influences, healthcare issues, and psychosocial well-being for the betterment of this vulnerable population.
在撒哈拉以南非洲地区，艾滋病流行对青少年的影响尤为严重，其中少女面临的脆弱性更高。尽管抗逆转录病毒疗法取得了进展，但与艾滋病相关的污名仍然普遍存在，尤其是在怀孕青少年中。这项定性研究探讨了乌干达西南部感染艾滋病毒青少年的观点，旨在了解在这种背景下与艾滋病相关污名的性质。
对在姆巴拉拉地区转诊医院接受治疗的28名年龄在14至19岁之间感染艾滋病毒的怀孕青少年进行了一对一的叙述性访谈。定性方法有助于深入探究参与者的经历。采用主题分析来识别叙述中反复出现的模式。
分析得出了五个总体主题：双重污名的经历、塑造污名的社会和文化影响、医疗系统挑战、污名的心理社会影响以及复原力和应对机制。双重污名源于与艾滋病毒感染状况和少女怀孕相关的社会偏见，给参与者营造了一个复杂的环境。尽管面临这些挑战，参与者通过外部支持和内在力量展现出了复原力。
本研究揭示了乌干达西南部感染艾滋病毒的怀孕青少年普遍经历的双重污名，这是由社会对艾滋病毒感染状况和少女怀孕的偏见所驱动的。需要采取紧急的针对性干预措施，以解决污名、文化影响、医疗问题和心理社会福祉的交叉问题，从而改善这一弱势群体的状况。
