Infectious Disease · Obstetrics & Gynecology · Public Health · 2 h ago
Study explores HIV disclosure coping among pregnant adolescent refugees in Uganda
A qualitative phenomenological study interviewed 40 pregnant adolescent refugees aged 15–19 years living with HIV in Nakivale Refugee Settlement. Participants described disclosure as gradual and shaped by age, stigma, social support, spirituality and hopes for motherhood.
- Interviews included 40 pregnant adolescents living with HIV.
- Disclosure was often gradual and shaped by age and support.
- Stigma and isolation influenced disclosure and emotional well-being.
- Motherhood aspirations and spirituality supported coping.
Researchers conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with 40 pregnant adolescents aged 15–19 years living with HIV and receiving care at Rwekubo Health Center IV in Nakivale Refugee Settlement, Uganda. Participants were purposively selected, and interviews in local languages were analyzed thematically using a descriptive phenomenological approach.
Five themes emerged: selective and gradual disclosure; emotional resilience after initial fear and shame; coping through social support, spirituality and personal resilience; the effects of stigma and isolation; and motivation drawn from motherhood and hopes for a stigma-free future. Older adolescents tended to disclose earlier and more confidently, often relying on partners. Younger participants more often delayed disclosure and relied on parents or healthcare providers.
The findings describe experiences in a specific refugee settlement and do not establish that particular coping strategies cause better treatment adherence or HIV outcomes. The qualitative design and small, purposively selected sample limit generalizability. The authors identify stigma reduction and layered support as potential intervention priorities, but the study does not evaluate an intervention.
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BMC Public Health: Resilience and coping strategies after HIV disclosure among pregnant adolescent refugees in Uganda ↗This is an automated AI-condensed summary that has not yet been reviewed by an editor. Always consult the full item at the original source.