Mental Health and Quality of Life among Human Immunodeficiency Virus-positive Adolescents: Descriptive Study of a Series of Cases Followed at the Albert Royer Children's Hospital in Dakar, Senegal

Abstract

Introduction: West Africa remains behind in the global AIDS response, particularly among Children and Adolescents Living with human immunodeficiency virus (CALHIV). These children and adolescents constitute a specific population due to the multiple psychological challenges, including the disclosure of their HIV status, the impact of infection on their quality of life, and their mental health. Few studies have examined the psychological difficulties of this segment of the population. This motivated the completion of this work, the aim of which was to evaluate the quality of life and the prevalence of depression in our study population. Patients and Methods: This was a cross-sectional study over a 6-month period (July 1 to December 31, 2022). The survey was done from consecutive sampling from outpatient clinic attendees, there were no exclusion criteria. Data collection was conducted using a sociodemographic interview guide and two assessment scales: Child depression inventory (CDI) and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory Version (PedsQL). Results: The sample consisted of 15 children with a male-to-female sex ratio of 1.5. The average age was 15 years, with a range of 10 to 18 years. Depression was found in 9 out of 15 children and the quality of life was impaired in 12 out of 15 adolescents. Conclusion: This study aimed to highlight the direct and indirect determinants of psychological problems among CALHIV. For more effective support, professionals other than psychiatrists could be trained in the use of the CDI and PedsQL. This would allow for early detection of depression in this vulnerable population. However, the limited sample size does not allow the results to be generalized. This small sample could be explained by the psychiatric liaison work carried out on an ad hoc (not regular) basis.