Adolescents' attitudes towards disclosing their HIV/AIDS status at the UNILU Center of Excellence in Lubumbashi An analysis of sociocultural factors and risk behaviors

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.