Prevalence and Pattern of Disclosure of HIV Status in HIV-Infected Children in Ghana

Kallem, Stacey; Renner, Lorna; Ghebremichael, Musie; Paintsil, Elijah

doi:10.1007/s10461-010-9741-9

Cited by 143 publications

(274 citation statements)

References 16 publications

Supporting

Mentioning

220

Contrasting

Unclassified

Order By: Relevance

“…Imminent onset of sexual activity in children has been shown to prompt full disclosure to children (Oberdorfer et al, 2006;Vaz et al, 2011;Vaz et al, 2008;Wiener et al, 2007) especially to prevent asymptomatic infected children from infecting others (Kallem et al, 2011;Siripong et al, 2007;Vaz et al, 2011). The recommended ages of 10-14 years for full disclosure from participants in this study are achievable if HCPs recommend parents test all their children soon after the parent is diagnosed as being HIV-poistive (Rwemisisi et al, 2008;Were et al, 2006).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

“…Disclosure of HIV status to children is important for HIV-positive parents, but many are extremely challenged by the disclosure process (Blasini et al, 2004;Delaney et al, 2008;Kallem et al, 2011;Kennedy et al, 2010;Kouyoumdjian, Meyers, & Mtshizana, 2005;Menon et al, 2007;Vallerand et al, 2005;Vaz et al, 2008). HIV disclosure is a process that moves a child from a state of no disclosure to partial and then to full disclosure of illness.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…HIV disclosure is a process that moves a child from a state of no disclosure to partial and then to full disclosure of illness. Nondisclosure of illness has been defined as a state in which the child has no knowledge of the illness (BikaakoKajura et al, 2006;Kallem et al, 2011;Oberdorfer et al, 2006;Vaz et al, 2011). In partial disclosure the child has limited details (for example, awareness of daily medication consumption and presence of chronic illness) of the illness (Bikaako-Kajura et al, 2006;Rochat, Mkwanazi, & Bland, 2013;Vaz et al, 2011).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In partial disclosure the child has limited details (for example, awareness of daily medication consumption and presence of chronic illness) of the illness (Bikaako-Kajura et al, 2006;Rochat, Mkwanazi, & Bland, 2013;Vaz et al, 2011). A child with full disclosure is aware that the illness in question is HIV/AIDS (Bikaako-Kajura et al, 2006;Kallem et al, 2011;Rochat, Mkwanazi, & Bland, 2013;Oberdorfer et al, 2006). HIV disclosure studies in SSA have mainly centered on telling children about their own HIV status, and a few have been on telling children about their parents" HIV statuses.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…HIV disclosure studies in SSA have mainly centered on telling children about their own HIV status, and a few have been on telling children about their parents" HIV statuses. Recent studies on disclosure to HIV-positive children have revealed HIV disclosure rates between 2-50% in Kenya (John-Stewart et al, 2013;Turissini et al, 2013;Vreeman et al, 2010;Vreeman et al, 2014); and 2-38% in other SSA countries (Biadgilign et al, 2011;Bikaako-Kajura et al, 2006;Brown et al, 2011;Feinstein et al, 2010;Fetzer et al, 2011;Hejoaka, 2009;Kallem et al, 2011, Menon et al, 2007Moodley et al, 2006;Vaz et al, 2010). Research suggests that the typical age ranges of HIV-positive children receiving disclosure of their own HIV status was between 3 and 19 years in Kenya (Vreeman et al, 2014); 8 and 18 years in the Democratic Republic of Congo (Vaz et al, 2010;Vaz et al, 2008); and 5 and 15 years in South Africa (Heeren et al, 2012;Moodley et al, 2006).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 4 more Smart Citations

HIV-positive parents, HIV-positive children, and HIV-negative children’s perspectives on disclosure of a parent’s and child’s illness in Kenya

Gachanja

Burkholder

Ferraro

2014

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

HIV disclosure from parent to child is complex and challenging to HIV-positive parents and healthcare professionals. This study was conducted to understand the lived experiences of HIV-positive parents and their children during the disclosure process in Kenya. Sixteen HIV-positive parents, seven HIV-positive children, and five HIV-negative children underwent semistructured in-depth interviews. Data was analyzed using the Van Kaam method in NVivo 8. Seven themes emerged that spanned the disclosure process. Presented here is data on the theme about how participants recommend full disclosure be approached to HIV-positive and negative children. Participants recommended disclosure as a process starting at five years with full disclosure delivered at 10 years when the child was capable of understanding the illness; or by 14 years when the child was mature enough to receive the news if full disclosure had not been conducted earlier. Important disclosure considerations include the parent’s and/or child’s health statuses, the number of infected persons’ illnesses to be disclosed to the child, the child’s maturity and understanding level, addressing important life events (e.g., taking a national school examination), and the person best suited to deliver full disclosure to the child. Recommendations are made for inclusion into HIV disclosure guidelines, manuals, and programs.

show abstract

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 89%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

See 3 more Smart Citations

HIV-positive parents, HIV-positive children, and HIV-negative children’s perspectives on disclosure of a parent’s and child’s illness in Kenya

Gachanja

Burkholder

Ferraro

2014

Preprint

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

show abstract

Models of support for disclosure of HIV status to HIV‐infected children and adolescents in resource‐limited settings

et al. 2018

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

IntroductionDisclosure of HIV status to HIV‐infected children and adolescents is a major care challenge. We describe current site characteristics related to disclosure of HIV status in resource‐limited paediatric HIV care settings within the International Epidemiology Databases to Evaluate AIDS (IeDEA) consortium.MethodsAn online site assessment survey was conducted across the paediatric HIV care sites within six global regions of IeDEA. A standardized questionnaire was administered to the sites through the REDCap platform.ResultsFrom June 2014 to March 2015, all 180 sites of the IeDEA consortium in 31 countries completed the online survey: 57% were urban, 43% were health centres and 86% were integrated clinics (serving both adults and children). Almost all the sites (98%) reported offering disclosure counselling services. Disclosure counselling was most often provided by counsellors (87% of sites), but also by nurses (77%), physicians (74%), social workers (68%), or other clinicians (65%). It was offered to both caregivers and children in 92% of 177 sites with disclosure counselling. Disclosure resources and procedures varied across geographical regions. Most sites in each region reported performing staff members' training on disclosure (72% to 96% of sites per region), routinely collecting HIV disclosure status (50% to 91%) and involving caregivers in the disclosure process (71% to 100%). A disclosure protocol was available in 14% to 71% of sites. Among the 143 sites (79%) routinely collecting disclosure status process, the main collection method was by asking the caregiver or child (85%) about the child's knowledge of his/her HIV status. Frequency of disclosure status assessment was every three months in 63% of the sites, and 71% stored disclosure status data electronically.ConclusionThe majority of the sites reported offering disclosure counselling services, but educational and social support resources and capacities for data collection varied across regions. Paediatric HIV care sites worldwide still need specific staff members' training on disclosure, development and implementation of guidelines for HIV disclosure, and standardized data collection on this key issue to ensure the long‐term health and wellbeing of HIV‐infected youth.

show abstract

To disclose or not to disclose? Caregivers experiences of disclosure of HIV status of children living with HIV in Accra, Ghana

2021

View full text Add to dashboard Cite

Background Status disclosure remains a major challenge for most caregivers of children living with HIV/AIDS, and it remains suboptimal, resulting in reduced adherence and negative psychological and physical outcomes in these children. This study explored caregivers’ experiences of disclosure of the HIV status of their affected children within the Greater Accra Region of Ghana. Methods Using the interpretive phenomenological qualitative approach, in‐depth interviews were conducted among 15 caregivers (aged 27–55 years) who were either the biological parents or guardians of children living with HIV (aged 6–15 years) from three main hospitals giving antiretroviral care in the Greater Accra Region. Interviews focused on the reasons for disclosure, the process of disclosure, and the aftermaths of disclosure. The interviews were recorded, transcribed, and subsequently analyzed thematically. Results Three main themes emerged from the analysis: “The Despair of HIV Diagnosis,” “The Dilemma and Nuances of Disclosure,” and “Aftermaths of Disclosure” Generally, the diagnosis of HIV in the children came as a shock to most caregivers which led to subsequent testing and diagnosis of caregivers. Two forms of disclosure were observed from the narratives: partial and full disclosure. Reasons for full disclosure were the child's curiosity, non‐adherence to antiretroviral therapy, and transition to high school. Non‐disclosure was as a result of stigma, the child been too young, and a lack of skill to disclose. Overall, caregivers reported that disclosure improved adherence and well‐being in their children; and helped reduce tension and anxiety among caregivers. Conclusions These findings suggest disclosure of HIV status to children living with HIV/AIDS has the potential to positively influence health outcomes in these children. However, caregivers need to be educated to initiate disclosure with the needed assistance from health care providers.

show abstract

Prevalence and Pattern of Disclosure of HIV Status in HIV-Infected Children in Ghana

Cited by 143 publications

References 16 publications

HIV-positive parents, HIV-positive children, and HIV-negative children’s perspectives on disclosure of a parent’s and child’s illness in Kenya

HIV-positive parents, HIV-positive children, and HIV-negative children’s perspectives on disclosure of a parent’s and child’s illness in Kenya

Models of support for disclosure of HIV status to HIV‐infected children and adolescents in resource‐limited settings

To disclose or not to disclose? Caregivers experiences of disclosure of HIV status of children living with HIV in Accra, Ghana

Contact Info

Product

Resources

About