Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people living with HIV in Lesotho: a qualitative study
Introduction There is a growing body of research evidencing the detrimental impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and well-being of young people. This impact may be worse in low-resource settings, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa, where pandemic impacts may be exacerbated by pov...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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BMJ Publishing Group
2024-07-01
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| Series: | BMJ Public Health |
| Online Access: | https://bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000414.full |
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| author | Christian Mallen Michelle E Robinson Thomas Shepherd Maema Ramaema Moraoetsi Rakuoane Ntoli Moletsane Rafiloe Mpholo Graham Leigh |
| author_facet | Christian Mallen Michelle E Robinson Thomas Shepherd Maema Ramaema Moraoetsi Rakuoane Ntoli Moletsane Rafiloe Mpholo Graham Leigh |
| author_sort | Christian Mallen |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Introduction There is a growing body of research evidencing the detrimental impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and well-being of young people. This impact may be worse in low-resource settings, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa, where pandemic impacts may be exacerbated by poverty, limited healthcare access and other health epidemics including HIV. We explored the COVID-19 pandemic impacts on young people living with HIV in Lesotho to understand the experiences of HIV management, well-being, financial stability and education status.Methods Thirty-one semistructured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with young people aged 15–19 years of age living with HIV from eight districts across Lesotho. Interviews were conducted in Sesotho, audio-recorded, later transcribed and translated to English prior to analysis. Analysis consisted of a thematic analysis using principles of constant comparison to explore key and emerging themes.Results Analysis revealed five major themes: ‘financial instability and food insecurity’, ‘challenges to health and well-being’, ‘changing relationship dynamics’, ‘loss of educational opportunities’ and ‘understanding the threat of COVID-19’.Conclusions While participants discussed being able to access antiretroviral therapy, this study highlights the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdown measures on the mental health and well-being, financial stability and educational development of young people living with HIV in Lesotho. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-b8bfb1bc3a5d4a8e9dfaf8819cf56979 |
| institution | Kabale University |
| issn | 2753-4294 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2024-07-01 |
| publisher | BMJ Publishing Group |
| record_format | Article |
| series | BMJ Public Health |
| spelling | doaj-art-b8bfb1bc3a5d4a8e9dfaf8819cf569792025-01-28T18:55:08ZengBMJ Publishing GroupBMJ Public Health2753-42942024-07-012110.1136/bmjph-2023-000414Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people living with HIV in Lesotho: a qualitative studyChristian Mallen0Michelle E Robinson1Thomas Shepherd2Maema Ramaema3Moraoetsi Rakuoane4Ntoli Moletsane5Rafiloe Mpholo6Graham Leigh73 Midlands Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, Stafford, Staffordshire, UKKeele University, Keele, UKKeele University, Keele, UKMamohato Children’s Centre, Maseru, LesothoMamohato Children’s Centre, Maseru, LesothoMamohato Children’s Centre, Maseru, LesothoNational AIDS Commission, Maseru, LesothoSentebale London, London, UKIntroduction There is a growing body of research evidencing the detrimental impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on the mental health and well-being of young people. This impact may be worse in low-resource settings, especially those in sub-Saharan Africa, where pandemic impacts may be exacerbated by poverty, limited healthcare access and other health epidemics including HIV. We explored the COVID-19 pandemic impacts on young people living with HIV in Lesotho to understand the experiences of HIV management, well-being, financial stability and education status.Methods Thirty-one semistructured, face-to-face interviews were conducted with young people aged 15–19 years of age living with HIV from eight districts across Lesotho. Interviews were conducted in Sesotho, audio-recorded, later transcribed and translated to English prior to analysis. Analysis consisted of a thematic analysis using principles of constant comparison to explore key and emerging themes.Results Analysis revealed five major themes: ‘financial instability and food insecurity’, ‘challenges to health and well-being’, ‘changing relationship dynamics’, ‘loss of educational opportunities’ and ‘understanding the threat of COVID-19’.Conclusions While participants discussed being able to access antiretroviral therapy, this study highlights the significant impact of the COVID-19 pandemic and associated lockdown measures on the mental health and well-being, financial stability and educational development of young people living with HIV in Lesotho.https://bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000414.full |
| spellingShingle | Christian Mallen Michelle E Robinson Thomas Shepherd Maema Ramaema Moraoetsi Rakuoane Ntoli Moletsane Rafiloe Mpholo Graham Leigh Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people living with HIV in Lesotho: a qualitative study BMJ Public Health |
| title | Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people living with HIV in Lesotho: a qualitative study |
| title_full | Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people living with HIV in Lesotho: a qualitative study |
| title_fullStr | Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people living with HIV in Lesotho: a qualitative study |
| title_full_unstemmed | Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people living with HIV in Lesotho: a qualitative study |
| title_short | Impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on young people living with HIV in Lesotho: a qualitative study |
| title_sort | impact of the covid 19 pandemic on young people living with hiv in lesotho a qualitative study |
| url | https://bmjpublichealth.bmj.com/content/2/1/e000414.full |
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