AEGiS-15IAC: The Psychological aspects of HIV testing in African children.

15th International AIDS Conference


Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

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The Psychological aspects of HIV testing in African children.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. B10034)

Kwalombota KM, Shumba CD
Ndola Central Hospital, Ndola, Zambia

OBJECTIVES: HIV testing in paediatrics is standard practice. The psychological consequence of a positive test in a child can be far reaching. It maybe worse in resource limited settings, because only minimal interventions are taken in the management of the children. The study tried to find out the factors that can influence the option of an HIV test in children and the effects of a positive test on the family structure.

METHODS: Children admitted to the paediatric wards of the University Teaching Hospital, were randomly recruited into the study. Inclusion criteria were: Age between 3 and 12, option of HIV testing by attending paediatrician; exclusion was confirmed HIV positive status of either parent. An initial questionnaire was administered to all parents. The children who had a positive HIV test had follow up questionnaires on review at hospital or one month after initial admission. RESULTS: A total of 178 children were recruited into the study. 127 children had the test done. 61 children had a positive HIV test. The initial feelings were of: 40 (70%) felt despair, 52 (85%) parents were worried about their own status, 55 (90%) were worried about the status of their other children, 45 (73.8%) were unhappy with medical interventions after the test. The follow-up questionnaire revealed that 35 pairs (57.4%) suffered some strain in marital/partner relations, 39 (64%) regretted accepting the test. 10 (16.4%) parents got HIV test themselves, none of them had the HIV test done on other children. APPLICATION OF RESULTS: Testing of HIV in children is complex because it affects the entire family structure. The full value of the test is not apparent. Good social and psychological support is required for families that have HIV positive children.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Seropositivity, Parents, Counseling, Emotions, Ethnic Groups, Child Rearing, Mental Disorders, Child of Impaired Parents, Parent-Child Relations, Child, Humans, psychology

040711
B10034

Copyright © 2004 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.