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Category: Volume 09 Issue 03 March 2021
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Title: Pattern of disclosure of HIV status in children living with HIV in central India - A cross-sectional study

Authors: Dr Kanchan D. Ingle, Dr Jyotsna Deshmukh

 DOI: https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v9i3.20

Abstract

Background: Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) disclosure to infected children and adolescents is very essential for maintaining personal health and for prevention of HIV within the larger population. HIV non-disclosure has been identified as one of the potential barriers to optimum adherence especially in children and adolescents[1].There has been a significant increase in the survival of HIV infected children with the advent of antiretroviral therapy (ART). But, HIV status disclosure to children remains a complex and a critical clinical issue in the care of HIV-infected children[2].

Methodology: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted at the ART centre of tertiary care hospital in central India from June 2017 to May 2018. Caregivers of HIV positive children ≤15 years of age and on antiretroviral therapy were interviewed and data regarding asocio-demographic variables and pattern of disclosure of HIV status was obtained using a pre tested, structured questionnaire.

Result: We found that maximum caregivers were parents and HIV status ware informed by 105(44.70%) caregivers only. 131(55.70%) of caregivers were not sure about the appropriate age for HIV status disclosure. The main reason for not disclosing HIV status to children was that the child was too young to disclose. Statistically significant association present between socioeconomic status and by caregivers and also between education of caregivers and pattern of disclosure.

Conclusion: More than 50% of children were not informed about their HIV status by caregivers. The main reason for not disclosing HIV status to children was that ‘the child was too young to disclose followed by ‘due to feelings of guilt’.

Keywords: HIV, disclosure, caregivers.

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Corresponding Author

Dr Kanchan D. Ingle

Assistant Professor, Department of Community Medicine, GMC Nagpur, Maharashtra, India