Exploring the Challenges Among Youths Living with HIV/AIDS in Selected Public Hospitals in South West Ethiopia: A Qualitative Phenomenological Study

Abstract

This paper is aimed at reporting on the challenges of youths living with HIV/AIDS in two different states of Ethiopia; namely Oromia regional state and south west Ethiopian people regional state. Since individual perceive and experiences are interrelated and interconnected factors and co-occurring with daily life. To identify the problem using phenomenological in-depth interview technique on lived experiences and challenges among youths living with HIV/AIDS on different aspects of life beginning from the first time test result to the  current psychological, emotional , behavioral, social support, medication adherence and substance use. The study population were youths with HIV/AIDS and using antiretroviral therapy medication in two different states of Ethiopia and two selected public hospitals. Some youths may avoid social contacts and do not seek their much-needed social support since they believe that they are not worth of respect and care from anyone. As a result, youths living with HIV/AIDS may live in despair and a constant fear of rejection, and yet lack social support that they need. The trend of substance abuse is very common in youths living with HIV/AIDS because of the psychosocial wellbeing, biological, emotional, spiritual, cultural, social, mental and material aspects of experience.