Impact of HIV-Related Stigma on Antiretroviral Therapy Adherence, Engagement and Retention in HIV Care, and Transition to Adult HIV Care in Pediatric and Young Adult Populations Living With HIV: A Literature Review.

HIV-related stigma is associated with negative effects on mental health and lower health-related quality of life in pediatric and young adult populations living with HIV. We reviewed literature on the impact of HIV-related stigma on suboptimal antiretroviral therapy (ART) adherence, engagement and retention in HIV care, and transition to adult HIV care in children, adolescents, and young adults living with HIV. PubMed and Embase were searched for publications reporting relevant data published from January 1, 2012, to April 13, 2023. The output was not a systematic review; it was a targeted literature review. Overall, 67 studies were selected for analysis based on pre-specified criteria (eg, quality). Most quantitative studies supported negative associations between HIV-related stigma and ART adherence (n = 8/11), engagement and retention in HIV care (n = 3/4), and transition to adult HIV care (n = 2/3) in pediatric and young adult populations living with HIV. Qualitative studies reported that stigma was a barrier to ART adherence (n = 26), engagement and retention in HIV care (n = 18), and transitioning to adult HIV care (n = 11). Prominent interview themes across all topics included anticipated stigma, enacted stigma, and fear of HIV status disclosure. Results reaffirm that HIV-related stigma is a significant barrier to ART adherence, engagement and retention in HIV care, and transition to adult HIV care among pediatric and young adult populations living with HIV, potentially impacting virologic suppression, onward transmission, and longer-term health. Additional interventional studies are needed to evaluate and reduce the impact of stigma in these important populations.