To tell or not to tell: Dimensions of disclosure to children with HIV in the Zambezi region of Northern Namibia

5^th International Conference on HIV/AIDS, STDs and STIs

November 13-14, 2017 Las Vegas, Nevada, USA

Eveline Ndii Kalomo

Wichita State University, USA

Scientific Tracks Abstracts: J AIDS Clin Res

Abstract :

Statement of the Problem: Prenatally HIV-infected children are surviving due to improvements in antiretroviral treatment (ART). With the advent of ART, the quality of life and the survival rates of children living with HIV have significantly improved allowing these children to live into adolescence and well into adulthood. Despite the significant decrease in the morbidity and mortality of children, a disclosure issue is increasingly becoming a concern for policymakers, health professionals and family members. Studies report that HIV disclosure is associated with increased self-esteem, lower depressive symptoms and improved adherence to treatment. However, despite known benefits of disclosure, researchers suggest that HIV-infected children, do not know they are HIV-infected. Scholars, suggest that this practice may be attributed to parental fears, social stigma and discrimination and lack of caregivers� knowledge with respect to when and how to approach disclosure questions. However, limited research has examined this phenomenon in Namibia, one of the top five countries in the world with the highest AIDS prevalence rates. Methodology & Conceptual Framework: Applying the ecological systems theory, this cross-sectional exploratory study conducted face-to-face interviews with 83 caregiver-child dyads of HIV-affected children aged 6-18. Findings: The mean age of caregivers was 37.1 [range 15-93, SD=11.9]. Majority was female (87.5%). Over half HIV-infected children (55.7%) were between the ages 6 to 10 years old. More than two-thirds of children (67.1%) had their HIV diagnosis disclosed to them. Care givers (42.2%) believed it was very important to disclose the HIV status to children. Conclusions & Recommendations: Health professionals and social workers should offer ongoing support to caregivers in the disclosure process so that children are sensitively and effectively informed of their HIV status. Greater practitioner-caregiver involvement is needed to ensure that caregivers have the adequate supports and communication skills to initiate and sustain the disclose process among adolescents.

Biography :

Eveline Ndii Kalomo is an Assistant Professor at Wichita State, School of Social Work. She teaches various courses in social work for students both in the undergraduate and graduate programs. Her research interests are the intersections of HIV/AIDS and, kinship caregiving, population aging, gerontology, mental health, intimate partner violence, substance abuse, children’s mental health and educational outcomes. She has expertise and passion in improving the health and well-being of individuals and families affected by HIV and AIDS in Africa. Her research area stemmed from her extensive experience working with families and children affected by AIDS in Namibia.