The sociocultural perceptions of adult caregivers regarding status disclosure to children living with HIV in the Capricorn Dostrict of Limpopo Province, South Africa

Background: Due to advancements in the mission to increase accessibility to antiretroviral drugs, HIV-infected children and adolescents are now living longer. The World Health Organization, which has indicated that most children are unaware of their HIV status, developed guidelines in 2011 regarding HIV status disclosure for children up to 12 years of age. Children reach adolescent stage unaware of their HIV status due to non-disclosure and this place them at risk of reinfections as majority engage on sexual activity and may spread the disease. They default treatment , become viral unsuppressed and develop psychological stress due to unintended disclosure. The study may improve disclosure rates in the study setting through study recommendation. Purpose of the study: The purpose of the study was to explore the sociocultural perceptions of adult caregivers regarding HIV status disclosure to children living with HIV in the Capricorn district of Limpopo Province in South Africa. Methodology: The study deployed a qualitative research approach utilizing an exploratory descriptive design to explore the sociocultural perceptions of adult caregivers regarding the disclosure of HIV status to children living with HIV. The study was conducted within the Polokwane municipality of the Capricorn district in Limpopo province, South Africa.The study population consisted of adult caregivers providing care to children living with HIV. Nonprobability purposive sampling was used to select adult caregivers of children living with HIV and the study area, A semi-structured interview guide containing open-ended questions was applied and individual in-depth interviews were used to gather information from participants. An interview guide was pre-tested in the nearby clinic to test the interviewer’s skills and ensure that participants would understand the questions. A thematic data technique approach was used to analyse data using an open–coding method. Measures were taken to ensure that trustworthiness and ethical principles were adhered to. The results: The study yielded themes, namely: social challenges regarding HIV disclosure to children and strategies that can enhance managing HIV status disclosure to children living with HIV.The findings revealed that adult caregivers face social challenges regarding status disclosure to children living with HIV and used several strategies to manage these challenges. Out of the twelve (12) adult caregivers interviewed, only five (5) had disclosed the HIV status of the children to them. Among those who had disclosed, the disclosure process was a onceoff event. Adult caregivers’ decision not to disclose the HIV status of the children was influenced by the fear of stigma and discrimination, secrecy, and the children’s age and cognitive maturity. They believed the children were too young to understand their HIV diagnosis.

Author dc:creator

• Thangwane, Ngaledzani Vidah

Advisors dc:contributor.advisor

• Mudau, A. G.
• Mashau, N. S.

• Adult caregiver
• Children
• Disclosure
• Human Immunodeficiency Virus
• Perceptions

Statement dc:rights

• University of Venda

Language dc:language.iso

en

Repository record dc:identifier.uri

http://univendspace.univen.ac.za/handle/123456789/2778

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:univendspace.univen.ac.za:123456789/2778