Evidence-based interventions targeting mental health problems in adolescents living with HIV: A scoping review

IntroductionAdolescents living with HIV are at an increased risk of experiencing mental health challenges, which may impact their overall well-being and adherence to treatment. Evidence-based interventions are crucial to addressing these issues; however, the effectiveness of these interventions remains unclear. This scoping review aimed to synthesize all interventions that tested either the prevention or improvement of mental health for adolescents living with HIV. MethodsWe used PubMed, PsycINFO, CINAHL, Embase, and Cochrane to identify RCTs evaluating mental health interventions for HIV-infected adolescents. ResultsA scoping review included 13 out of 1015 studies demonstrating the global relevance of addressing mental health in this population. Interventions were diverse and showed mixed effectiveness in improving mental health outcomes such as depression, anxiety, trauma, and behavioural symptoms. Factors contributing to mixed results included variations in intervention design, study characteristics, and contextual factors. Identified gaps in the literature encompassed the limited number of studies in some regions and the lack of research on specific subpopulations and long-term intervention effectiveness. ConclusionA mixed result needs to be confirmed in future RCTs. This review provides valuable insights into improving the mental health of HIV-infected adolescents and can guide further research and practice in this area.