Browsing by Author "Pantelic, Marija"
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Item Multiple forms of discrimination and internalized stigma compromise retention in HIV care among adolescents: findings from a South African cohort(Wiley-Blackwell, 2020) Casale, Marisa; Pantelic, Marija; Cluver, Lucie DaleEfficacious antiretroviral treatment (ART) enables people to live long and healthy lives with HIV but young people are dying from AIDS-related causes more than ever before. Qualitative evidence suggest that various forms of HIV-related discrimination and resulting shame act as profound barriers to young people’s engagement with HIV services. However, the impact of these risks on adolescent retention in HIV care has not been quantified. This study has two aims: (1) to examine whether and how different types of discrimination compromise retention in care among adolescents living with HIV in South Africa; and (2) to test whether internalized stigma mediates these relationships. Methods: Between 2014 and 2017, adolescents living with HIV (aged 10 to 19) from 53 health facilities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, were interviewed at baseline (n = 1059) and 18-month follow-up (n = 979, 92.4%), with responses linked to medical records. Data were analysed through multiple regression and mediation models. Results: About 37.9% of adolescents reported full retention in care over the 2-year period, which was associated with reduced odds of viral failure (OR: 0.371; 95% CI:.224,.614). At baseline, 6.9% of adolescents reported discrimination due to their HIV status; 14.9% reported discrimination due to HIV in their families and 19.1% reported discrimination in healthcare settings.Item Prospective associations between bullying victimisation, internalised stigma, and mental health in South African adolescents living with HIV(Elsevier, 2020) Boyes, E.Mark; Pantelic, Marija; Casale, Marisa A.J.Background: Adolescents living with HIV may be at elevated risk of psychological problems, which are correlated with negative health outcomes. In cross-sectional research with HIV-affected adolescents, bullying victimisation and internalised HIV stigma have been associated with poorer psychological health. We extended these findings and tested longitudinal associations between bullying victimisation, internalised stigma, and mental health among adolescents living with HIV. We also tested whether relationships between bullying victimisation and psychological symptoms were mediated by internalised stigma. Method: Adolescents living with HIV (n = 1060, 10–19 years, 55% female), who had ever initiated HIV treatment in 53 public health facilities in the Eastern Cape, South Africa, were interviewed and followed up 18 months later (n = 995, 94% retention). Participants completed well-validated measures of depression, anxiety, posttraumatic stress, bullying victimisation, and internalised stigma. Results: After adjusting for baseline mental health and sociodemographic characteristics, baseline internalised stigma prospectively predicted poorer outcomes on all psychological measures.Item STACKing the odds for adolescent survival: health service factors associated with full retention in care and adherence amongst adolescents living with HIV in South Africa(Wiley Open Access, 2018) Cluver, Lucie D.; Pantelic, Marija; Toska, Elona; Orkin, Mark; Casale, Marisa; Bungane, Nontuthuzelo; Sherr, LorraineINTRODUCTION: There are two million HIV-positive adolescents in southern Africa, and this group has low retention in care and high mortality. There is almost no evidence to identify which healthcare factors can improve adolescent self-reported retention. This study examines factors associated with retention amongst antiretroviral therapy (ART)-initiated adolescents in South Africa. METHODS: We collected clinical records and detailed standardized interviews (n = 1059) with all 10- to 19 year-olds ever initiated on ART in all 53 government clinics of a health subdistrict, and community traced to include lost-to-follow-up (90.1% of eligible adolescents interviewed). Associations between full self-reported retention in care (no past-year missed appointments and 85% past-week adherence) and health service factors were tested simultaneously in sequential multivariate regression and marginal effects modelling, controlling for covariates of age, gender, urban/rural location, formal/informal housing, maternal and paternal orphanhood, vertical/horizontal HIV infection, overall health, length of time on ART and type of healthcare facility. RESULTS: About 56% of adolescents had self-reported retention in care, validated against lower detectable viral load (AOR: 0.63, CI: 0.45 to 0.87, p = 0.005). Independent of covariates, five factors (STACK) were associated with improved retention: clinics Stocked with medication (OR: 3.0, CI: 1.6 to 5.5); staff with Time for adolescents (OR: 2.7, CI: 1.8 to 4.1); adolescents Accompanied to the clinic (OR: 2.3, CI: 1.5 to 3.6); enough Cash to get to clinic safely (OR: 1.4, CI: 1.1 to 1.9); and staff who are Kind (OR: 2.6, CI: 1.8 to 3.6). With none of these factors, 3.3% of adolescents reported retention. With all five factors, 69.5% reported retention. CONCLUSIONS: This study identifies key intervention points for adolescent retention in HIV care. A basic package of clinic and community services has the potential to STACK the odds for health and survival for HIV-positive adolescents.Item Suicidal thoughts and behaviour among South African adolescents living with HIV: Can social support buffer the impact of stigma?(Elsevier, 2018) Casale, Marisa; Boyes, Mark; Pantelic, Marija; Toska, Elona; Cluver, Lucie D.BACKGROUND: Adolescents living with HIV represent a high-risk population for suicidal ideation and attempts, especially in low-income settings. Yet little is known about risk and protective factors for suicide in this population. METHODS: A moderated mediation model was employed to test for potential (a) effects of stigma on suicidal ideation and attempts, both direct and mediated through depression and (b) direct and stress-buffering effects of social support resources on depression and suicidal ideation and attempts, among 1053 HIV-positive 10–19-year-old adolescents from a resource-scarce health district in South Africa. The survey data was collected using full community sampling of 53 clinics and tracing to over 180 communities. Effects of two support resources were tested: perceived support availability from the adolescents’ social network and structured clinic support groups. Stigma was measured using the ALHIV-SS scale, depression through the CDI short form and social support through items from the MOS-SS. RESULTS: Stigma was a risk factor for depression (B = 0.295; p < 001) and for suicidal thoughts and behaviour (B = 0.185; p < .001). Only perceived support availability was directly associated with less depression (B = −0.182, p < .001). However, both perceived support availability and support group participation contributed to the overall stress-buffering effects moderating the direct and indirect relationships between stigma and suicidal thoughts and behaviour. LIMITATIONS: The data used in this study was self-reported and cross-sectional. CONCLUSIONS: Findings suggest that strengthening multiple social support resources for HIV-positive adolescents, through early clinic and community-based interventions, may protect them from experiencing poor mental health and suicidal tendencies.