Variations in pediatric HIV status disclosure between the orphanage and the community in Ethiopia

Abstract


Past studies on pediatric HIV disclosure have not investigated the variations across childcare settings. This study explored pediatric HIV disclosure for children living in the community with their birthparents or relatives and those living in orphanages in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, to highlight the variations in reasons, processes and outcomes of disclosure across childcare settings. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with children and their caregivers attending an HIV clinic in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Among children living in orphanages, the proportion with disclosure was significantly higher (p < 0.001) and age at disclosure was younger (p = 0.09). Although the proportions of children with unplanned disclosure were similar in orphanages and the community, there were notable differences between children’s experiences. Children living in the community often found out their status alone through exposure to antiretroviral therapy advertisements in the media, unbeknownst to their caregivers and healthcare providers and suffered silently without any support. Orphans, on the other hand, experienced unplanned disclosure after the death of their birthparents and subsequently received significant emotional support. Healthcare professionals need to consider these variations with childcare settings in disclosure processes. Practices in orphanages may be important models for developing adequate support system for caregivers and children in the community.



Hyeon-Ju Ryoo Priya Hirway Nicole Alexander-Scott Peter Locke Jennifer Greene Welch | source: Vulnerable Children and Youth Studies 190 |
Categories: Health Care


Other articles

Vulnerability of street-involved children and youth in semi-rural Kenya: does orphan status matter?

The vulnerability of street-involved children and youth (SICY) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA) to adverse childhood events is…

Read more

A Descriptive Study on Behavioral and Emotional Problems in Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children Staying in Institutional Homes

Introduction: Orphans and the other vulnerable children and adolescents (OVCA) living in institutional homes are more prone…

Read more

Health and nutritional status of orphans <6 years old cared for by relatives in western Kenya

One of the consequences of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in sub-Saharan Africa is the increase in the number of orphans, estimated…

Read more

A qualitative exploration of resilience in pre-adolescent AIDS orphans living in a residential care facility

This article presents the findings of a study among a small group of South African AIDS orphans living in a residential…

Read more