Living in the shadows: the persistence of secrecy in young people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy, a qualitative study of the BREATHER Plus trial

Q: What does this research mean for the field?

Young people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy persistently practice secrecy due to stigma, which creates barriers to care, links treatment adherence to fears of disclosure, and necessitates the development of various secrecy-maintaining strategies over time. Novelty: ClaimNovelty.INCREMENTAL. Consensus alignment: ConsensusAlignment.NEUTRAL.

Tamlyn Carmin Seunanden; Nothando Ngwenya; Stella Namukwaya; Londiwe Shandu; Moherndran Archary; Sarah Pett; Adeodata Rukyalekere Kekitiinwa; Sarah Bernays; Janet Seeley

doi:10.1016/j.ssmqr.2025.100560

April 17, 2025SSM - Qualitative Research in HealthOpen Access

Living in the shadows: the persistence of secrecy in young people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy, a qualitative study of the BREATHER Plus trial

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Key Points

To examine how ongoing HIV-related stigma and the practice of secrecy affect healthcare access and treatment adherence among young people receiving antiretroviral therapy.
Conducted a qualitative investigation nested within the BREATHER Plus clinical trial.
Evaluated the lived experiences, disclosure concerns, and care-seeking behaviors of adolescents and young adults living with HIV.
Pervasive stigma and discrimination compel youth to continuously hide their HIV status, using shifting behavioral strategies over time to maintain privacy.
Treatment adherence is critically compromised by fears of unintentional disclosure, directly obstructing access to essential medical and social support.

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Implication

Qualitative study reveals persistent secrecy and fear of disclosure hinder treatment adherence in young people living with HIV, highlighting critical barriers to supportive care.

Abstract

• Young people living with HIV still face persistent HIV stigma and discrimination. • Practising secrecy can create barriers to care and support for youth. • Treatment adherence is inextricably linked to fears about disclosure. • Youth develop different strategies to maintain secrecy over time.

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Cite This Study

Seunanden et al. (2025) studied this question.

synapsesocial.com/papers/6aaa5f67d7d96a803833bdaa https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ssmqr.2025.100560

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Living in the shadows: the persistence of secrecy in young people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy, a qualitative study of the BREATHER Plus trial

Key Points

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

Living in the shadows: the persistence of secrecy in young people living with HIV on antiretroviral therapy, a qualitative study of the BREATHER Plus trial

Key Points

Ask about this paper

Implication

Abstract

Discussion

Cite This Study

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