Factors influencing access to mental health services among adolescents and young people living with HIV in Zambia: a qualitative study

Background AYPLHIV understand mental health but face socio‑cultural, economic and technological barriers to care. This study suggests that decentralized services, stronger community and peer support and carefully designed mHealth tools—if youth‑centered, confidential, affordable and integrated into HIV care—could help improve access and acceptability of mental‑health support for young people living with HIV in Zambia and similar settings. Methods AYPLHIV understand mental health but face socio‑cultural, economic and technological barriers to care. This study suggests that decentralized services, stronger community and peer support and carefully designed mHealth tools—if youth‑centered, confidential, affordable and integrated into HIV care—could help improve access and acceptability of mental‑health support for young people living with HIV in Zambia and similar settings. Results AYPLHIV understand mental health but face socio‑cultural, economic and technological barriers to care. This study suggests that decentralized services, stronger community and peer support and carefully designed mHealth tools—if youth‑centered, confidential, affordable and integrated into HIV care—could help improve access and acceptability of mental‑health support for young people living with HIV in Zambia and similar settings. Conclusions AYPLHIV understand mental health but face socio‑cultural, economic and technological barriers to care. This study suggests that decentralized services, stronger community and peer support and carefully designed mHealth tools—if youth‑centered, confidential, affordable and integrated into HIV care—could help improve access and acceptability of mental‑health support for young people living with HIV in Zambia and similar settings.