Prevalence, factors associated, and negative outcomes of "probable PTSD" among HIV infected children and adolescents: CHAKA study 2014-2017

Abstract

The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of “probable post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD),” factors associated with probable P-T-S-DPTSD, and its relationship with clinical and behavioral problems among children and adolescents with H-I-V/A-I-D-S (CA-HIV). A random sample of 1,339 C-A-H-I-V (aged 5–18 years, living with H-I-VHIV) whose caregivers completed an extensive battery of measures. The caregivers evaluated psychiatric symptom severity using a standardized D-S-MDSM-5-referenced psychiatric rating scale, the Child and Adolescent Symptom Inventory-5. The prevalence of “probable P-T-S-DPTSD” was estimated with 95% confidence intervals (95% C-ICI). Logistic and ordinal regression models were fitted to determine factors associated with probable P-T-S-D P-T-S-D , including study site, sex of the child, age of the child, caregiver religion, caregiver psychological distress, any anxiety and any attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Logistic and ordinal regression models were fitted to determine factors associated with probable P-T-S-D and to evaluate the relationship between probable P-T-S-D and clinical and behavioral outcomes. The overall prevalence of “probable P-T-S-DPTSD” was 19.6%. C-A-H-I-V with “probable P-T-S-DPTSD” were more likely to have had their sexual debut (a-o-r = 2.78; 95% C-I 1.12–6.55; P = 0.02). “Probable P-T-S-DPTSD” was marginally associated with poor adherence to H-I-V medication (a-o-r = 0.13, 95% C-I 0.02–0.97; P = 0.05).The study identified a high prevalence of “probable P-T-S-DPTSD” among C-A-H-I-V HIV, with significant associations with caregiver psychological distress, anxiety, and A-D-H-D . These findings underscore the need for targeted mental health interventions tailored to the unique needs of C-A-H-I-V in Uganda. Furthermore, integrating mental health services into routine H-I-V care could address the significant burden of P-T-S-D and its comorbidities in this vulnerable population in Uganda.