An Assessment of Challenges Influencing Access to Comprehensive Hiv Care Among Adolescents and Youth Aged 15-24 Years at Nakuru County Referral Hospital in Kenya

Abstract

Purpose: Adolescents and youth living with HIV/AIDs experience numerous challenges and support needs, some of which occur in school and affect their quality of life. Several reasons have been advanced to explain this trend includes; stigma, peer pressure and discrimination. However, little focus has been made on socio-cultural, socioeconomic and clinical challenges facing Adolescents and Youth Living with HIV/AIDS (AYLHIV). The objective of this study was to assess the challenges influencing access to comprehensive HIV care among adolescents and youth aged 15-24 years at Nakuru county referral hospital in Kenya.Methodology: Adopting social cognitive theory, a descriptive survey research design was used. Purposive and proportionate random sampling techniques were used to obtain a sample size of 47 AYLHIV. Questionnaires and focused group discussions were used to collect data from AYLHIV; while Interview schedules were to collect data from counsellors in November 2019. Data were analyzed by the use of descriptive statistics in January 2020.Findings: The study concludes that the main socio-cultural challenges faced by AYLWA at County Referral Hospitals are stigma and frequent change of caregivers resulting in poor adherence to ARV medications. Moreover, no major socio-economic challenges were affecting AYLWA at the health facilities. Further, the main clinical challenges facing AYLWA were poor adherence and low viral suppression.Unique Contribution to Theory, Practice and Policy: The study recommends the need to offer and strengthen psychosocial support to AYLWA to enable them to cope with their status and educate the caregivers on the importance of the AYLWA having a consistent caregiver for continuity. The hospital management should avail more trained adherence counsellors for this role. Moreover, the hospital management needs to strengthen the Youth Friendly HIV services to improve responsiveness to the youth needs. This will enhance peer support.