# Factors influencing access to mental health services among adolescents and young people living with HIV in Zambia: a qualitative study

## TL;DR

Adolescents and young people living with HIV in Zambia face barriers to mental health care and could benefit from youth-centered, confidential, and integrated services.

## Contribution

The study identifies specific barriers and proposes solutions like decentralized services and mHealth tools tailored for young people living with HIV.

## Key findings

- AYPLHIV face socio-cultural, economic, and technological barriers to mental health care.
- Decentralized services and community support could improve access to mental health care.
- Youth-centered mHealth tools integrated into HIV care may enhance mental health support acceptability.

## Abstract

AYPLHIV understand mental health but face socio-cultural, economic and technological barriers to care. This study suggests that decentralized services, stronger community and peer support and carefully designed mHealth tools–if youth-centered, confidential, affordable and integrated into HIV care–could help improve access and acceptability of mental-health support for young people living with HIV in Zambia and similar settings.

AYPLHIV understand mental health but face socio-cultural, economic and technological barriers to care. This study suggests that decentralized services, stronger community and peer support and carefully designed mHealth tools–if youth-centered, confidential, affordable and integrated into HIV care–could help improve access and acceptability of mental-health support for young people living with HIV in Zambia and similar settings.

AYPLHIV understand mental health but face socio-cultural, economic and technological barriers to care. This study suggests that decentralized services, stronger community and peer support and carefully designed mHealth tools–if youth-centered, confidential, affordable and integrated into HIV care–could help improve access and acceptability of mental-health support for young people living with HIV in Zambia and similar settings.

AYPLHIV understand mental health but face socio-cultural, economic and technological barriers to care. This study suggests that decentralized services, stronger community and peer support and carefully designed mHealth tools–if youth-centered, confidential, affordable and integrated into HIV care–could help improve access and acceptability of mental-health support for young people living with HIV in Zambia and similar settings.