Psychological Stressors and Coping Strategies Used by Adolescents Living with and Not Living with Hiv Infection in Nigeria.
Little is known about stressful triggers and coping strategies of Nigerian adolescents and whether or not, and how, HIV infection modulates these sources of stress and coping. This study evaluated differences in stressors and coping strategies among Nigerian adolescents based on HIV status. We analysed the data of six hundred 10-19 year old adolescents recruited through a population-based survey from 12 States of Nigeria who self-reported their HIV status. Data on stressors and coping strategies were retrieved by self-report from participants, using a validated structured questionnaire. We compared results between adolescents with and without HIV with respect to identification of specific life events as stressors, and use of specific coping strategies to manage stress. Logistic regression analysis adjusted for age and sex. Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) had significantly increased odds of identifying 'having to visit the hospital regularly' (AOR: 5.85; 95 % CI: 2.11-16.20; P = 0.001), and 'having to take drugs regularly' (AOR: 9.70; 95 % CI: 4.13-22.81; P < 0.001) as stressors; and 'Seeking social support' (AOR: 3.14; 95 % CI: 1.99-4.93; p < 0.001) and 'using mental disengagement' (OR: 1.64; 95 % CI: 0.49-1.84; p = 0.001) as coping strategies. Adolescents not living with HIV had significantly increased odds of identifying 'argument with a friend or family member' as a stressor (AOR: 6.59; 95 % CI: 3.62-11.98; P < 0.001). Life events related to adolescents' HIV positive status were significant stressors for ALHIV. Providing targeted psychosocial support could help reduce the impact of such HIV status-related stressors on ALHIV.
Institute of Public Health and Department of Child Dental Health, Obafemi Awolowo University, 22005, Ile-Ife, Nigeria. toyinukpong@yahoo.co.uk.
Morenike O
MO
Folayan
Center for Interdisciplinary Studies in Sexuality, AIDS and Society, Universidad Peruana Cayetano Heredia, Lima, Peru.
Carlos F
CF
Cáceres
Institute of Human Virology Nigeria, Abuja, Nigeria.|Division of Epidemiology and Prevention, Institute of Human Virology, University of Maryland Baltimore, Baltimore, USA.
Nadia A
NA
Sam-Agudu
Positive Action for Treatment Access, Lagos, Nigeria.
Morolake
M
Odetoyinbo
Division of Global Public Health, Department of Medicine, University of California, La Jolla, San Diego, CA, 92093, USA.
Jamila K
JK
Stockman
Population Studies and Training Center, and Department of Behavioral and Social Sciences, Public Health Program, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912, USA.
Abigail
A
Harrison
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D055118:Medication Adherence; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D057566:Self Report; D057545:Social Stigma; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D014342:Truth Disclosure; D055815:Young Adult
Adolescents; Coping strategies; HIV; Nigeria; Stressors