"Supposed to Make You Better but It Doesn't Really": HIV-Positive Youths' Perceptions of HIV Treatment
March 29, 2006
Worldwide, half of all new HIV infections occur among young people. In the current study, the authors investigated HIV-positive youths' perceptions of and experiences with antiretroviral treatment.
The researchers employed a community-based, participatory approach to conduct a mixed-methods research study. They conducted 34 qualitative, in-depth, semi-structured interviews with HIV-positive people ages 12-24 in Ontario, and they administered brief structured demographic surveys.
To identify emerging themes, the data collected were analyzed by a team comprising professionals, researchers and HIV-positive youths. The chief themes that emerged were:
The researchers concluded that youths may benefit from support around such issues as side effects, social impact and adherence. "Developmentally appropriate, empowerment-based treatment education may be helpful for HIV-positive youth." Special outreach targeting youths may be needed to make the young patients aware of the availability of support programs.
Journal of Adolescent Health
03.06.06; Vol. 38; No. 3: P. 261-267; Tiffany C. Veinot, M.L.S.; Sarah E. Flicker, M.P.H.; Harvey A. Skinner, Ph.D.; Alex McClelland; Paul Saulnier; Stanley E. Read, M.D., Ph.D.; Eudice Goldberg, M.D.
This article was provided by CDC National Prevention Information Network. It is a part of the publication CDC HIV/Hepatitis/STD/TB Prevention News Update.