HIV Disclosure: Parental Perceptions in Disclosing Perinatally HIV Infected Children about their HIV Positive Status

Abstract

Background: The increased access to antiretroviral treatment resulted in increased survival rates among the children infected with HIV/AIDs and also led to the improved quality of life of sero-positive children.  The chronic medical conditions in the paediatric population pose a range of potential psychosocial challenges and also disclosure of HIV status to the positive children. The current study aimed to understand the Parental Perceptions on Disclosure of diagnosis to their HIV Positive Children. Methodology : For this purpose the researcher used qualitative method in which 13 parents were interviewed to understand the parental perception about disclosure of HIV status to their perinatally infected children and challenges in disclosure.  Results and Conclusion : The results were analyzed using thematic approach. The findings of the study showed lack of understanding of importance of disclosing HIV status to their positive children, fears of post disclosure impact and lack of consensus among few parents regarding who should disclose HIV status to the infected children and adolescents. Keywords: Children, disclosure, HIV/AIDS, perinatal, parents