Retaining Versus Engaging Youth in HIV Care: Perspectives From a Qualitative Study among Youth Living With HIV and Their Care Providers in Kenya and Uganda
Qualitative study explores perspectives on HIV care engagement among youth living with HIV, highlighting the need for differentiation in care approaches.
Key Points
This research examines youth living with HIV's perspectives on challenges and factors influencing HIV care engagement and retention.
Conducted semistructured, in-depth interviews with 113 adolescents and young adults living with HIV
Interviews evaluated factors influencing clinic attendance and HIV care retention during a 2-year intervention
Participants were purposively sampled for diversity in sex, life stage, and HIV care status
Youth defined HIV care incorporating social factors like familial support and respectful providers
Distinguished between retention in care (keeping appointments) and engagement in care (commitment to health with family and providers)
Findings indicate a need for differentiated strategies in HIV care approaches based on youth perspectives
Cite This Study
Johnson‐Peretz et al. (2026) studied this question.