Emotional and behavioral problems and its associated factors among children and adolescents on highly active antiretroviral therapy in governmental public health institutions in West Gojjam zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia, 2018

Abstract

Children and adolescents under age 20 are projected to grow by about 33 percent accompanied with high vulnerable period for human immune virus-infection and high risk behaviors. The impact of human immune virus to emotional and behavioral problems that remains untreated may result in long-term problems. HIV-related mortality among HIV-positive children and adolescents has risen by 50% despite the scale up of antiretroviral therapy. Those with HIV are significantly more likely to have emotional and behavioral problems than the general population. This problem needs effective and safe therapies to support their emotional and behavioral development and to avoid functional impairment and social deficits.