The Psychosocial Effects of the COVID-19 Pandemic on Youth Living with HIV in Western Kenya

Dyer, Jessica; Wilson, Kate; Badia, Jacinta; Agot, Kawango; Neary, Jillian; Njuguna, Irene; Kibugi, James; Healy, Elise; Beima-Sofie, Kristin; John-Stewart, Grace; Kohler, Pamela

The objective of this study was to assess psychosocial effects of COVID-19 among adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) in Kenya and to assess the feasibility of conducting behavioral surveys by phone. We adapted our protocol to administer telephone rather than in-person follow-up surveys and included questions about COVID-19. The majority of participants (99%) reported having heard of COVID-19; 23% reported no longer being able to go outside, 17% reported that they could no longer go to their regular clinic for medical care, and 3% reported that they could no longer get medication refills. PHQ-9 screening identified 9% (n = 45) with mild depression symptoms, and 1% (n = 3) with moderate-to-severe depression symptoms. Young adults 20–24 years old had more mild to severe depressive symptoms than the younger age groups (p < 0.001). Offering remote peer-support or mental health care, continuing to offer differentiated care services, and considering financial support will support the health and well-being of ALHIV.