A cross-sectional study conducted at two healthcare facilities in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria, has found that approximately half of adolescents living with HIV were ready to transition to adult care, even though only about one-quarter were willing to do so. Specifically, among the 140 participating adolescents, 73 individuals, or 52.1 percent, demonstrated readiness for adult-oriented HIV services, whereas only 38 participants, representing 27.1 percent, reported willingness to make the transition.

The researchers noted that major advances in antiretroviral therapy have significantly improved the survival of adolescents living with HIV. As these patients survive into older age groups, an increasing number require transfer from paediatric services into adult HIV care settings. Successful transition depends on adequate transition readiness, making its assessment and the identification of associated factors essential for optimizing long-term health outcomes.

To evaluate these dynamics, the study assessed transition readiness and examined associated factors among 140 adolescents living with HIV attending two hospital facilities. The cohort had a mean age of 15.42 ± 2.79 years, and 67 of the participants, accounting for 47.9 percent of the total sample, were male.

The investigators measured transition preparedness using the HIV Adolescent Readiness for Transition Scale, known as HARTS. Alongside this instrument, the researchers employed a structured, self-administered questionnaire to gather data on the adolescents’ socio-demographic characteristics and relevant clinical information. Statistical analyses were performed using IBM SPSS version 26, with the threshold for statistical significance defined at p < 0.05.

Across the cohort, the mean overall score on the HIV Adolescent Readiness for Transition Scale was 45.97 ± 14.55. While 52.1 percent of participants met the threshold for transition readiness based on this assessment, the proportion who expressed a personal willingness to transition to adult care remained substantially lower at 27.1 percent.

Multivariable analysis demonstrated that adolescent developmental stage was an independent predictor of transition readiness. Participants in the mid-adolescent stage had significantly higher odds of readiness compared to earlier stages (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 52.29, 95% confidence interval [CI]: 7.36–371.49, p < 0.001), and those in late adolescence also had increased odds of readiness (AOR = 10.75, 95% CI: 1.92–60.18, p = 0.007). In addition, having relatives as primary caregivers independently predicted readiness for transition (AOR = 4.84, 95% CI: 2.04–18.67, p = 0.004).

Full disclosure of HIV status significantly predicted transition readiness (AOR = 3.06, 95% CI: 1.05–8.87, p = 0.040), as did an expressed willingness to transition to adult care (AOR = 4.97, 95% CI: 1.42–17.33, p = 0.012). In their conclusion, the authors emphasized that because readiness and willingness remain divergent, structured, adolescent-centred transition programmes are needed to support these youth as they move into adult health systems.

Subject of Research: Transition readiness to adult healthcare among adolescents living with HIV

Article Title: Readiness for transition to adult care and factors associated with it among adolescents living with HIV seen in two hospitals in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria

Article References: Orji, M.-L. C., Ezeonu, C. T., Agbo, E. S., Nnaji, T. N., & Ubesie, A. C. (2026). Readiness for transition to adult care and factors associated with it among adolescents living with HIV seen in two hospitals in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State, Nigeria. AIDS Research and Therapy. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12981-026-00930-0

Image Credits: AI Generated

DOI: 10.1186/s12981-026-00930-0

Keywords: HIV, adolescent health, transition readiness, pediatric care, adult healthcare, antiretroviral therapy, HARTS, Nigeria, Readiness, transition, adult, care