Sabrina KITAKA

Summary

Advances in early infant diagnosis of HIV infection in HIV exposed children and the increased availability and access to pediatric HIV treatment have reduced the mortality and morbidity of children born with HIV, resulting into more children surviving into adolescence. Eighty percent of all adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) globally live in sub Saharan Africa. Uganda, like many resource limited countries has made significant strides in the fight against HIV/AIDS. The rapid scale up of anti-retroviral therapy (ART) in this country has decreased the morbidity and mortality of ALHIV. As these ALHIV mature and their life expectancy increases, they face several challenges ranging from adhering to long term ART and negotiating through various situations and relationships to survive into adulthood. While the majority of available studies including ALHIV focus on their medical treatment, this thesis aims to go beyond the treatment response as such. The thesis describes not only the response of ART on the growth and development of perinatally infected adolescents, but puts emphasis on the exploration of the psychosocial challenges ALHIV face as they grow up and their lives become normalized. We also describe the sexual and reproductive health needs and sexual activity among ALHIV. Moreover we highlight the psychosocial and psychosexual challenges as they manifest in clinical/treatment settings dealing with ALHIV. This thesis therefore is relevant not only from an academic perspective but also for health care providers working in such settings. Our findings may contribute to increasing youth-friendly, evidence-based HIV services.