Prevalence and Determinants of Neglect and Physical Abuse among Adolescents Living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection in Lagos State, Nigeria

Background Neglect and physical abuse are common important modifiable psychosocial causes of comorbidity in adolescent living with HIV infection. These adverse childhood experiences can lead to poor adherence to treatment plan and a subsequent development of complications from HIV infection. The purpose of this study was to assess the prevalence of Neglect and Physical abuse in adolescents living with HIV and to determine the variables that are associated with them. Method this was a cross-sectional study carried out among 201 adolescents living with HIV who had a laboratory-confirmed diagnosis of HIV, caregivers' signed consent and were attending an adolescents' out-patient HIV clinic in Lagos state, Nigeria. Data were collected using Socio-demographic Questionnaire, OSLO-3 item social support and Adverse Childhood Experience Scale (ACE). The Statistical Package for Social Sciences (IBM-SPSS) version 24 was used to analyze all collated data. Result Mean age was 13.88 (± 2.53) years, 73.6% of the participants had a history of Physical abuse, while 29.4% had a history of Neglect. Mean age in years (p=0.05), Fathers Occupation (p=0.09), Route of infection (p=0.045) and HIV status of parents (p= 0.021) were significantly associated with Neglect. While Mean age at diagnosis (p=0.016), relationship with mother (p=0.012), death of parent due to HIV infection (p=0.037), and social support (p= 0.003) were significantly associated with Physical Abuse. Conclusion Adolescent living with HIV infection will need to have regular assessment for the presence of Neglect and physical abuse so as to ensure early intervention in order to prevent the development of any psychological distress that can worsen their illness.