Formative research to develop an intervention for addressing mental health/psychosocial issues and HIV vulnerability of marginalized adolescents in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Children and adolescents who migrate from rural regions to Addis Ababa, Ethiopia often flee their households to escape from abusive families, forced marriages, poverty, lack of economic opportunity and education, and other social problems. They are often met with equally harsh, if not worse, challenges when they arrive in Addis Ababa, including treacherous living situations, abusive working conditions with meager compensation, limited opportunities for education and socialization, and absence of family support. This study conducted a qualitative needs assessment to determine type and extent of mental health and psychological needs among adolescent migrants living in Addis Ababa in order to develop a targeted psychosocial support intervention to address the identified needs. Semistructured in-depth interviews were conducted with 30 service recipients from Biruh Tesfa and Retrak, and 11 service providers from Biruh Tesfa, Retrak, and Organization for the Prevention, Rehabilitation and Integration of Female Street Children. Key findings revealed several high-risk situations that adolescent migrants in Addis Ababa are exposed to that specifically compromise their psychosocial well-being and increase their vulnerability to HIV