Table 1.

Phases of the medical interaction

Opening and introduction (18% of the interview) 1 ‐ referral to case file 2 ‐ brief history 3 ‐ interaction with child 4 ‐ establishing socio economic status 5 ‐ questioning mother's cause of death Child leaves room Doctor and grandmother dialogue (57% of interview) 1 ‐ Discussion of child's status 2 ‐ Doctor's reasons for disclosure to child 3 ‐ Grandmother's arguments against disclosure 4 ‐ How infectious is HIV? 5 ‐ Difficulty of decision acknowledged Introduction of counsellor (12%) 1 ‐ Introductions 2 ‐ ‘Who will tell?’ 3 ‐ ‘Maybe it's too, much for 1 day’ Final plea ‘Contain the consequences’ (8%) Closure and the way forward (3%)