Perspectives on disclosure of HIV status to others among 12-19 year old HIV-infected adolescents attending an HIV care clinic at a tertiary hospital in Harare, Zimbabwe : a qualitative study

Introduction: The worldwide commitment to increasing services and access to antiretroviral therapy have resulted in a decline in HIV related mortality. As a result, the focus of HIV care is shifting towards improving the psychological health and quality of life. HIV infected adolescents are a group with unique psychosocial challenges. Given that HIV self disclosure has been recognized as an important challenge affecting their physical as well psychological health it warrants further exploration. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted during September to November 2014 among adolescents (12-19years) attending the HIV care clinic at a tertiary hospital in Harare. Twenty adolescents who were vertically infected with HIV were recruited using purposive sampling techniques to achieve maximum variability in age and sex. In depth interviews were conducted to determine the views of adolescents regarding when, whom and how to self disclose. All the interviews were transcribed verbatim. Data was analyzed using the framework approach. Results: Adolescents identified stigma and discrimination from peers as well as lack of HIV knowledge as important barriers to status disclosure and suggested societal resources like support groups and media to assist them in the disclosure process. Conclusion: HIV status disclosure to others is a challenging task for adolescents and it can be affected by personal as well as social factors. In order to deal with disclosure dilemmas, we have to work with adolescents keeping all these factors in mind to assist them in decision making, there by facilitating healthy supportive relationships and contributing to the wellbeing of HIV-positive adolescents.

Grantor dc:publisher.institution

Department of Psychiatry and Mental Health

Year dc:date.issued

2015

Author dc:creator

• Khan, Rabia

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Sorsdahl, Katherine

Language dc:language.iso

eng

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11427/16698

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:open.uct.ac.za:11427/16698