Prevalence, associated factors and perceived barriers of HIV status disclosure to infected children aged 7-14years at Lodwar County Referral Hospital-Kenya

Abstract

Background: The quality of life of Human Immunodeficiency Virus-infected children have improved significantly with the introduction of highly active antiretroviral treatment -and as a result, they are living longer. This makes disclosure of HIV very important as most survive into adolescent and are likely to involve in risky behaviors. Objective: The overall objective of this study was to determine the prevalence of disclosure, associated factors and perceived barriers to HIV disclosure among HIV infected children aged 7-14 year at Lodwar County Referral hospital-Kenya (LCRH). Methods: A cross-sectional study involving children aged 7-14 years and their caregivers attending Paediatric Infectious Disease Clinic of LCRH. Quantitative data was collected using a total of 99 interviewer-administered questionnaires to child/caregiver pair through systematic random sampling -and four purposively selected key informant interviews. Results: Only 16.2% of HIV-infected children knew their diagnosis. The child’s age was the primary predictor of disclosure (P-value 0.00). The mean age of the children was 9.97 years (SD 2.13) with a mean duration of enrollment of 77.21 (SD 34.186). The main reason for nondisclosure was that the child is too young (34.3%). Nearly half of the parent/caregivers agreed they need to disclose to children their status, 27.3% reported that they needed health care providers to help them in disclosure. Lack of knowledge on how to disclose, fear and stigma were other hindrances to HIV disclosure to children. Conclusion: Few HIV-infected children in Lodwar County Referral Hospital know their HIV status. Recommendation: Parents/caregiver need to be counseled by trained health professionals at Lodwar County Referral Hospital on age appropriate disclosure.