Exploring the causes, effects, and coping strategies among adolescents living with HIVAIDS in the New Juaben South Municipality, Ghana.

Abstract

ABSTRACT The study sought to explore the causes, effects and coping strategies among adolescents living with HIV/AIDS in the New Juaben South Municipality. A qualitative research design was adopted for the study. A purposive sampling method was used to select a sample of 13 participants for the study. A self-developed interview guide was used to collect data for the study. Thematic analysis was used after verbatim responses were transcribed and themes were used for the data analysis. The study found that misinformation about HIV transmission fuels stigma among adolescents, leading to confusion, judgment, and emotional distress due to their . HIV/AIDS status. Many wrongly associate HIV with promiscuity or unsafe behavior, even when infections occur through birth. Also, it was realised that participants experienced emotional stress. The study revealed that victims of HIV/AIDS sought counselling services as a coping strategy. It was, therefore, recommended that to prevent perinatal transmission of HIV/AIDS, lactating mothers who are HIV positive should stop breastfeeding their babies and resort to the use of complementary foods.