Understanding Mental Health Among Kenyan Youth Living With HIV: Language, Conceptualizations, Experiences, and Screening Preferences
Brittany M. McCoy, Festus Sang, Josephine Aluoch, Roxanne Martin, Ashley Chory, Florence Jaguga, Rachel C. VreemanBackground
Mental health disorders are common among youth living with HIV (YLHIV). However, little is known about how Kenyan YLHIV conceptualize mental health symptoms and prefer to engage with mental health screening. This study explored Kenyan YLHIV’s conceptualizations and experiences of mental health challenges and screening preferences.
Methods
Thirty YLHIV (ages 15-24) were recruited to participate in a qualitative study using semi-structured interviews to explore screening preferences, familiarity with mental health terminology, and conceptualizations and lived experiences of mental health challenges. Data were analyzed using both thematic and content analyses.
Results
YLHIV emphasized the importance of privacy, confidentiality, and trust in mental health screening. Participants reported limited familiarity with common mental health terminology and conceptualized depression, anxiety, and PTSD using overlapping constructs, such as “stress” and “overthinking.”
Conclusions
Mental health screening programs for Kenyan YLHIV should prioritize culturally relevant language, privacy, confidentiality, and trauma-informed approaches to care.