A recent study has highlighted a concerning lack of viral load suppression (VLS) among refugee youth living in refugee settlements in Uganda. Viral load suppression is considered pivotal in the endeavor to end the HIV/AIDS pandemic, as individuals with suppressed viral load can live long healthy lives and cannot sexually transmit the disease. However, young people lag in this important metric, and some groups are particularly overlooked.
A particularly overlooked group is refugee adolescents and youth, who have been largely neglected in research. This vulnerable population faces unique challenges, including high rates of trauma-related mental health issues, sexual violence, engagement in risky behaviors like substance use, and limited knowledge of HIV. These intersecting factors can impede their adherence to antiretroviral therapy (ART), ultimately affecting their ability to achieve viral load suppression.
A research team from the International Center for Child Health and Development (ICHAD), led by Nhial Tutlam, PhD, assistant professor at the Brown School, conducted a study to understand factors around access to and utilization of HIV treatment and adherence to treatment, trauma-associated disorders, psychological functioning, and sexual decision-making. The findings will enhance researchers’ understanding of the dual public health threats of HIV and mental health among vulnerable refugee youth in Uganda.
“Despite the recognized importance of viral load monitoring in controlling the HIV/AIDS pandemic, to the best of our knowledge, our study is the first to examine viral load suppression among refugee adolescents and youth in Sub-Saharan Africa,” Tutlam explained.