%0 Journal Article
%T HIV-Positive Status Disclosure and Associated Factors among Children in North Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia
%A Digsu Negese
%A Kefyalew Addis
%A Akilew Awoke
%A Zelalem Birhanu
%A Dagnachew Muluye
%A Sisay Yifru
%A Berihun Megabiaw
%J ISRN AIDS
%D 2012
%R 10.5402/2012/485720
%X Introduction. Clinical reports have indicated positive outcomes associated with disclosure of HIV-positive status in children. This study assessed the level and associated factors of HIV-positive status disclosure to HIV-infected children in northwest Ethiopia. Methods. Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV-positive children from March to April 2012. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire by face-to-face interview technique. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results. Of the 428 children, 169 (39.5%) were disclosed their HIV-positive status. The mean age of HIV-positive status disclosure was at 10.7 (¡À2.3) years. Having a nonbiological parent ( , 95% CI: 1.22, 14.04), child¡¯s age older than 10 years ( , 95% CI: 4.5, 15.53), and death of a family member ( , 95% CI: 1.16, 3.6) were significantly and independently associated with disclosure of HIV-positive status to infected children. Conclusions. The rate of disclosure of HIV-positive status to infected children still remains low in North Gondar. Hence, it is important to target children living with their biological parents and having young parents and children younger than 10 years. The guideline for disclosure of children with HIV/AIDS should be established in an Ethiopian context. 1. Introduction HIV/AIDS is increasingly affecting the health and welfare of children and undermining hard-won gains of child survival in highly affected countries [1]. Recent estimates from the Joint United Nations Programs on HIV/AIDS (UNAIDS) suggest that globally about 2.5 million children younger than 15 years of age are infected with HIV: 90% living in sub-Saharan Africa [2] and about 64,813 living in Ethiopia [3]. Without treatment 75% of HIV-infected children will die before their fifth birthday [4]. As highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) becomes increasingly available in low resource settings, infected children are living longer [5]. With increased survival, one of the greatest psychosocial challenges that parents and caregivers of HIV-infected children face is the disclosure of HIV-positive status to their infected children. One of the most difficult issues that families with HIV-infected children face is when and how to talk about HIV to their children. HIV-positive status disclosure to infected children and adolescents should take place in a supportive environment with collaboration and cooperation among caregivers and health care providers. Disclosure is contingent on the caregiver¡¯s acknowledgement of the illness, the readiness to disclose, and
%U http://www.hindawi.com/journals/isrn.aids/2012/485720/