Abstract:
Introduction: In Ethiopia youth are often under served and given insufficient priority in many HIV
programs, with poor access to and uptake of HIV counseling and linkage to treatment and care. Much of
the research on youth living with HIV in Ethiopia has been confined to the epidemiology of sexually
acquired HIV infection amongst 15-24 year olds with considerable emphasis on primary prevention of
HIV infection among youths and minimal attention on lived experiences of youth living with HIV.
Objectives: The main objective of this study is to explore the lived experience of youth living with HIV
in Jimma health center and Jimma university medical center.
Methods: Descriptive phenomenological study design was carried out to explore the lived experience of
purposively selected youth living with HIV in Jimma health center and Jimma university medical center.
Data was collected through in depth interviews using a semi structured interview guide, and data were
analyzed using qualitative data management software Atlas ti.version 7.5.18
Results: Eleven youths living with HIV participated in the study, and eight of them were females, while
the remaining three were males. These youth reported as they had support from youth club, families and
ART clinics, while fear of revealing one‟s own status, and social stigma are some of challenges they
have faced, especially majorities don‟t want to disclose their own status because of fear of stigma and
discrimination. Youth had ever skilled psychological experience of Feeling of guilty, anxiety about
future life, low self-esteem and boredom of drug dependency. Cope up with problem was common
among youth living with HIV where all reported self-concealment, religiosity and escape avoidance as
coping strategy.
Conclusion and Recommendation: Youth participants in this study experience difficulties linked to
rejection, stigma and prejudice, lack of meaningful sexual relationship, and lack of sufficient support.
Particularly, youths living with HIV encounter barriers to accessing health care services due to HIV-
related stigma in the community context, which puts their health at risk and also youths living with HIV
exhibited psychological suffering, including boredom of drug dependency, impaired self-esteem and
guilty of feeling. This study recommends that ART center health facilities as they implement
differentiated service delivery towards ensuring a continuum of HIV care that accurately addresses
youth needs in a respectful, effective and efficient manner.
