Health-related quality of life in healthy children and adolescents of HIV-infected parents in Alexandria, Egypt

Abstract

Background: Egypt as part of the Eastern Mediterranean region is facing a growing HIV epidemic. Developments in the National HIV Program are associated with an increase in survival of HIV-positive persons. This study aimed to assess health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of healthy children/adolescents of HIV-positive parents compared with healthy children/adolescents of healthy HIV-negative parents. Participants and Methods: A cross-sectional comparative study was conducted. Healthy children aged 3-17 years old of all HIV-positive parents registered in the national HIV treatment center in Alexandria Fever Hospital during the year 2016 were enrolled (n=33) and compared with a comparable group of children of healthy parents (n=33). The HRQOL of studied groups was assessed by interviewing parents using Kinder Lebensqualität Fragebogen questionnaire revised parents' version. Results: Among the HIV-positive persons, 54.5% of their children had poor to fair HRQOL compared with only 9.1% of children of healthy parent group. They had significantly lower HRQOL scores in ; the physical, mental, family, and friends domains (P<0.05). Adolescents of HIV-positive parents had significantly lower HRQOL score compared with children (P=0.028). Parents' education was the only independent predictor of daughter/son's HRQOL (b=13.073, P=0.014). Conclusion: HIV-positive status of parents negatively affects the HRQOL of their children. Development of organized social and mental support services to families with HIV-affected member/s within the Egyptian National HIV program is highly recommended with specific focus on adolescents and children, especially those having lower educated parents.

HIV-Exposed Uninfected Children: A Systematic Review on Psychological Well-Being and Association with School Performances in Africa

“…Moreover, if caregivers received more support, adolescents' problems could be further reduced. The findings in these studies reinforce the importance of promoting caregivers' social support to improve parenting and reduce the risk of adolescents' behavioral and emotional problems [33,55].…”

“…Child physical health, caregiving support, food security, peer relationship quality, and lower exposure to community violence and bullying or stigma seem to be strong predictors of resilience [31,32]. Moreover, a study that was carried out in Egypt suggests that children and adolescents of HIV-positive parents had a significantly lower health-related quality of life than children of healthy parents [33]. This may be attributed to the effects of parental HIV on the family and the economic and social issues that follow [33].…”

“…Moreover, a study that was carried out in Egypt suggests that children and adolescents of HIV-positive parents had a significantly lower health-related quality of life than children of healthy parents [33]. This may be attributed to the effects of parental HIV on the family and the economic and social issues that follow [33].…”

“…Two studies, by Ashry et al [33] and Casale et al [55], described that caregivers' higher education was associated with fewer adolescent emotional and behavioral problems. Moreover, if caregivers received more support, adolescents' problems could be further reduced.…”