HIV Sero Status Disclosure by Caregivers to Infected Children Accessing Care at Mbagathi Hopsital, Nairobi City County, Kenya

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Date
2021
Authors
Mutiso, Jones Nzioki
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
Kenyatta University
Abstract
Background: HIV status disclosure to children is key to comprehensive pediatric HIV care. Increased access to antiretroviral drugs (ART) has led to survival of infected children posing a new challenge to parents on whether, when or how to disclose. Objective: To understand the prevalence, correlates and caregivers‟ perspectives on disclosure to HIV infected children on ART. Methodology: A mixed methods study with an analytic cross-sectional design for the quantitative aspect of the study was done. The target population was caregivers to HIV infected children aged 6 to 14 years receiving HIV care at Mbagathi Hospital, Kenya. Data was collected using questionnaires and interview guides. Chi-square and logistic regression were used to determine predictors of disclosure while thematic analysis was done for qualitative data. Results: Disclosure prevalence was 36% (n=254). Age 10-14 compared to 6-9 years (aOR=10.97; 95% CI=5.7-21.2; p<0.0001), longer duration on HIV care (aOR=1.91; 95% CI=1.02-1.97; p<0.0001) for >5 years compared to <1 year, which was similar to 1-5years duration (aOR=1.03; 95% CI=0.36-1.97; p=0.233) and perceived importance of disclosure (aOR=2.58; 95% CI=1.36-4.90; p=0.004) were significantly associated with disclosure. Fear of stigma and discrimination was associated with low disclosure (OR=0.931; 95% CI=0.44-151; p<0.0001). Caregiver‟s perceptions of importance of disclosure and influence of socio-cultural factors influenced disclosure. Conclusion: Disclosure prevalence was low (36%) despite high caregivers‟ perception of disclosure as important. Age of child, child‟s duration on care, caregivers‟ perceptions importance of disclosure and socio-cultural factors were associated with increased disclosure.
Description
Department of Community Health and Epidemiology “A Research Thesis Submitted in Partial Fulfilment of the Requirements for the Award of the Degree of Master of Public Health (Epidemiology and Disease Control) in the School of Public Health and Applied Human Sciences of Kenyatta University” October 2021
Keywords
HIV, Sero Status Disclosure, Caregivers, Infected Children Accessing Care, Mbagathi Hopsital, Kenya, Nairobi City County
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