AEGiS-15IAC: Paintings done by HIV positive children in Thailand allows them to express their feelings.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Paintings done by HIV positive children in Thailand allows them to express their feelings.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. D10321)

Estur AB, Saisaengjan C
Medecins sans Frontieres Belgium, Bangkok, Thailand

ISSUES: There are currently about 23,000 HIV infected children under 14 years old in Thailand. They are poorly understood and often discriminated against. Simple and effective communication between HIV positive children and their caretakers is important to address issues related to disclosure and sexuality but also to understand their feelings and worries about HIV/AIDS. Mutual understanding will benefit HIV positive children, their families and the community as a whole.

DESCRIPTION: A group consisting of non-governmental organizations, UNICEF, PLWA and student volunteers organised from October 24-26, 2003 a Family Camp captioned " We Understand." 82 HIV positive children and 98 caretakers participated. The main objective was to develop appropriate methods of communication among HIV positive children and their caretakers and to increase the societies understanding and acceptance of HIV infected children.

LESSONS LEARNED: Painting was an excellent way of communication and expression among children and their caretakers. Many previously hidden thoughts, feelings and ideas that otherwise would have remained undiscovered were expressed by paintings. Some examples of paintings included: parents and a baby (wish for a family), a big heart surrounded by small hearts (wish for love), schoolhouse (right to education), houses and neighbours (wish for acceptance) and 2 skulls with cross-bones (thinking of death). These repressed thoughts were previously not detected by caretakers or by health staff.

RECOMMENDATIONS: HIV positive children have the same rights as other children. They should be understood and accepted by society. A better understanding and knowledge of HIV positive children and their caretakers will promote their acceptance within the community. Painting allows children to have an independent manner of expressing their feelings which can enhance a positive interaction between them and the rest of the population.

Keywords: AEGIS, Thailand, HIV Seropositivity, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Family, Parents, United Nations, Human Rights, Love, Sexuality, Communication, Child, Humans, Infant

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D10321