Childhood Maltreatment and Suicide Risk Behaviors Among Adolescents and Young Adults Living with HIV in Zimbabwe

Childhood maltreatment is a public health crisis that contributes to an increased risk of suicidal behaviors in adolescents and young adults in numerous settings. This study examines the association between childhood maltreatment and suicide risk behaviors among adolescents and young adults living with HIV in Zimbabwe. The study utilized data from the 2017 Zimbabwe Violence Against Children Survey (N = 249). Descriptive statistics and chi-square tests were both used to obtain the prevalence estimates. In addition, two sets of bivariate logistic regression were employed to assess the association between types of childhood maltreatment and higher levels of suicide risk behaviors. The results showed that approximately 47.4% of adolescents and young adults living with HIV were at risk of higher levels of suicide behaviors. Furthermore, adolescents and young adults living with HIV who experienced any form of childhood maltreatment were associated with lower likelihood of reporting higher levels of suicide risk behaviors (61.3%; aOR = 0.33, 95% CI = 0.18–0.63). However, adolescents and young adults living with HIV who experienced emotional abuse (72.7%; aOR = 4.29, 95% CI = 1.57–11.77) and sexual abuse (75%; aOR = 3.44, 95% CI = 1.14–10.39) were more likely to report higher levels of suicide risk behaviors. This study underscore the need for a wide range of interventions to prevent suicide risk behaviors, including trauma-informed care and mental health support support services, anti-stigma and violence prevention programs, and promoting efforts to cultivate community acceptance for adolescents and young adults living with HIV in Zimbabwe.