1 Department of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
2 Center of Excellence for the Care of People Living with HIV/AIDS, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
3 Laboratory of the University Clinics of Lubumbashi, Faculty of Medicine, University of Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
4 Always Be a Better Psychology Practicum, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
5 Department of Neuropsychiatry, Jason Sendwe Provincial General Hospital, Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
6 Higher Institute of Medical Techniques (ISTM) Likasi, Democratic Republic of Congo.
World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 27(03), 1789-1795
Article DOI: 10.30574/wjarr.2025.27.3.3156
Received on 19 August 2025; revised on 25 September 2025; accepted on 27 September 2025
Introduction: HIV/AIDS remains a major public health problem in the Democratic Republic of Congo, particularly among adolescents, who are confronted with stigmatization, social rejection and a lack of sex education. These factors have a negative influence on their attitude towards disclosure of their serostatus, and encourage the adoption of risky behaviours.
Methodology: A descriptive mixed-method study (quantitative and qualitative) was conducted from January to July 2024 among 149 adolescents living with HIV, aged 14 to 18, followed up at the Lubumbashi HIV/AIDS Center of Excellence. Data were collected via standardized questionnaires and semi-structured interviews. Analyses combined descriptive statistics and thematic analysis.
Results: The results show a low rate of voluntary testing (13.5%), high reluctance to disclose status (64.4%), and low condom use (28.7%). Adolescents are predominantly exposed to stigmatization, lack of psychosocial support, poor knowledge of their partner's status and risky sexual practices.
Conclusion: The study highlights the need for an integrated approach focused on adolescents, combining sex education, psychosocial support, caregiver training and community mobilization. These strategies are essential to promote acceptance of HIV status, prevent risky behavior and improve access to care.
Adolescents; HIV/AIDS; Serostatus; Disclosure; Stigma; Risk behaviors; Lubumbashi
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Dodo Manda Mukendi, Pierre Mazono Mbang, Emmanuel Tshibangu Manyonga, Athy Kalumba Kambate, Jerome Nyembo Lukamba, Dina Mbelu Mulamba, Odon Panshi wa Panshi, Djo Banza Monga, Astrid Lokotshe Kanyama, David Elo Mboba, Salvatrice Masonga Madika, Cynthia Kitwa Mwepu, Guy Kandja Lwamba, Nathalie Mbuyamba Mutombo, Jirene Ndjibu Ebondo, Gloria Malitele Babile, Franck Kansans TSHINENGO, Eric Makoy Ngindu, Elie Kabika Yantambwe, Didier Nlandu Nkanza, Eric Kasamba Ilunga and Philomène Lungu Anzwal. Adolescents' attitudes towards disclosing their HIV/AIDS status at the UNILU Center of Excellence in Lubumbashi An analysis of sociocultural factors and risk behaviors. World Journal of Advanced Research and Reviews, 2025, 27(03), 1789-1795. Article DOI: https://doi.org/10.30574/wjarr.2025.27.3.3156.
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