Table 2. Caregiver Attitudes Regarding Disclosure.
| Characteristic | Number | (Percent) |
|---|---|---|
|
Believe HIV infected children should know their
status |
213 | (78.9) |
| Reasons disclosure is important* | ||
| To care for oneself/not transmit HIV | 80 | (37.7) |
| To take or adhere to medications | 61 | (28.8) |
| Knowledge | 39 | (18.4) |
| Is of age | 17 | (8.0) |
| Avoid questions | 8 | (3.7) |
| Avoid accidental disclosure | 4 | (1.9) |
| Other | 3 | (1.4) |
|
Strongly agree that caregivers should inform
the child of their status |
149 | (55.0) |
| Preferred person to disclose | ||
| Parent/caregiver alone | 124 | (45.8) |
| Caregiver and counselor | 85 | (31.4) |
| Counselor alone | 37 | (13.7) |
| Other family member | 5 | (1.8) |
| Doctor | 13 | (4.8) |
| Other | 7 | (2.6) |
| Preferred age at disclosure | ||
| <10 years | 22 | (8.1) |
| 10-15 years | 233 | (86.0) |
| >15 years | 14 | (5.2) |
|
Believe child on medication should be
disclosed to |
173 | (64.1) |
|
Disclosed own status to child (HIV-infected
caregivers only) ** |
8 | (7.1) |
| Disclosed own status to at least one person** | ||
| Immediate family members | 52 | (53.6) |
| Relatives | 36 | (32.1) |
| Non-family members | 5 | (4.5) |
| None | 19 | (17.0) |
| Other | 15 | (13.4) |
| Disclosed child’s status to at least one person | ||
| Immediate family members | 150 | (55.4) |
| Relatives | 141 | (52.0) |
| Non-family members | 36 | (13.3) |
| None | 20 | (7.4) |
| Disclosed child’s status to the child | 52 | (19.2) |
| Type of disclosure*** | ||
| Full | 42 | (80.7) |
| Partial | 10 | (19.3) |
| Person who disclosed*** | ||
| Health care worker | 27 | (51.9) |
| Caregiver | 17 | (32.7) |
| Relatives | 3 | (5.8) |
| Accidental | 5 | (9.6) |
| Reason for disclosure*** | ||
| Asked questions | 4 | (11.1) |
| Medication/Adherence | 17 | (47.2) |
| Knowledge | 5 | (13.9) |
| Age/Ability to Understand | 2 | (5.5) |
| Illness | 5 | (13.9) |
| Other | 3 | (8.3) |
| Effect of disclosure on the child+ | ||
| Denial | 0 | (0) |
| Sadness and Depression | 16 | (30.8) |
| Rejection of the parent/caregiver | 0 | (0) |
| Withdrawal | 3 | (5.8) |
| No effect | 19 | (36.5) |
| Other effect | 18 | (34.6) |
|
Believes child does not know they are HIV
positive**** |
183 | (83.9) |
| Child asks questions about their illness***** | 46 | (25.1) |
| Caregiver responses to questions***** | ||
| Avoids questions | 7 | (15.0) |
| Attributes illness to another etiology | 11 | (23.9) |
| Discloses co-morbid condition | 12 | (26.1) |
| Other response | 16 | (34.8) |
| Barriers preventing disclosure***** | ||
| Child too young | 146 | (67.0) |
| Unable to keep a secret | 94 | (43.1) |
| Fear of discrimination | 49 | (22.5) |
| Child will become depressed | 52 | (23.9) |
| Child will blame parents | 18 | (8.3) |
| Do not know how to tell the child | 55 | (25.2) |
| Other | 33 | (15.1) |
*
Among N=212 who believe children should know their HIV status
**
Among N=112 HIV positive caregivers
***
Among N=52 who have disclosed
****
Among N=218 who have not disclosed
*****
Among N=185 who have not disclosed and do not think child knows positive status
+
As observed by the caregiver following disclosure; Caregiver can list multiple reasons