School-related issues among HIV-infected children

"It was not okay because you leave your friends behind": A prospective analysis of transition to adult care for adolescents living with perinatally-acquired HIV in South Africa

OBJECTIVE

To determine facilitators and barriers to successful transition to adult care for adolescents living with perinatally-acquired HIV in South Africa.

METHODS

We prospectively enrolled 30 adolescents living with perinatally-acquired HIV after their pediatrician deemed them ready for transition to adult care but prior to their transition. Eighteen months after enrollment, we measured transition status, engagement in care (i.e., viral load within 12 months of transition), and viral suppression (<200 copies/ml). Additionally, we conducted in-depth interviews with adolescents before and after transition to explore facilitators and barriers to successful transition.

RESULTS

A total of 19/30 (63%) adolescents transitioned to adult care. Of those who transitioned, 11 (58%) were retained in care and 7 (37%) were virally suppressed one year after transition to adult care. Insufficient staff training, lack of availability of pediatric ART formulations in adult clinics, and insufficient clinical monitoring contributed to delayed transition. Rigid clinical scheduling that interfered with school and loss of clinic relationships with peers and clinical staff were major factors in contributing to poor engagement in care after transition. Maturity of the adolescent, reduced distance to clinic, and reduced length of time in the clinic were seen as facilitators to transition to adult care.

CONCLUSION

Improved preparation for transition by pediatric and adult clinical staff, including restructuring of care delivery, may improve successful transition of adolescents living with perinatally acquired HIV to adult care. Transition readiness assessments are needed to determine optimal timing of transition and which adolescents are ready to transition to adult care.

School trajectory disruption among adolescents living with perinatal HIV receiving antiretroviral treatments: a case-control study in Thailand

BACKGROUND

Adolescents living with perinatal HIV often experience difficult living circumstances that can impact educational achievement and thus their transition to adult life. We explored their school trajectories and evaluated the contribution of perinatal HIV-infection, in Thailand, where education is free and compulsory until the age of 15.

METHODS

We used data from the Teens Living with Antiretrovirals (TEEWA) study, a cross-sectional case-control study conducted from 2011 to 2014 in Thailand. Participants were 707 adolescents living with perinatal HIV (ALPHIV, cases) aged 12-19 receiving antiretroviral therapy in 19 hospitals throughout Thailand and 689 HIV-uninfected adolescents (controls) living in the same institutions or, for those living in family settings, randomly selected from the general population and individually matched for sex, age, and place of residence. School trajectory disruption was defined as ≥1 year of academic delay or as early school dropout (before 15 years of age). Logistic regression models were used to assess factors independently associated with disrupted school trajectory and to estimate the proportion of school disruption attributable to HIV-infection. We used multivariate imputations by chained equations (MICE) to manage missing data and performed two sensitivity analyses to evaluate the main model's reliability.

RESULTS

The study population's median age was 14.5 years (58% female). School trajectory disruption was experienced by 37% of ALPHIV and 12% of the controls. After adjusting for sociodemographic factors, ALPHIV were 5 times more likely to experience disruption than controls (OR_A =5.2 [3.7-7.2]). About 50% of school trajectory disruption was attributable to HIV-infection. Males and adolescents living in institutions were more likely to experience school trajectory disruption (OR_A =1.8 [1.3-2.4] and OR_A =11.0 [7.7-15.8], respectively). Among ALPHIV, neurocognitive difficulties and growth delay were significantly associated with disruption (OR_A =3.3 [2.1-5.2] and OR_A =1.8 [1.3-2.6], respectively). For those living in families, disruption was also associated with having a caregiver who had less than a secondary-level education (OR_A =2.1 [1.1-3.9]) or having experienced stigmatization (OR_A =1.9 [1.2-3.1]).

CONCLUSIONS

HIV and contextual factors combine to aggravate the educational disadvantage among ALPHIV. The impact of this disadvantage on their life prospects, especially regarding access to higher education and professional achievement, should be further explored.

Transition from pediatric to adult care for adolescents living with HIV in South Africa: A natural experiment and survival analysis

OBJECTIVE

To determine rates of retention and viral suppression among adolescents living with perinatally-acquired HIV who remained in pediatric care compared to those who transitioned to adult care.

METHODS

We evaluated a natural experiment involving adolescents living with perinatally-acquired HIV who were attending a government-supported antiretroviral clinic in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. Prior to 2011, all adolescents transitioned to adult care at 12 years of age. Due to a policy change, all adolescents were retained in pediatric care after 2011. We analyzed adolescents two years before and two years after this policy change. Outcomes were retention in care and HIV viral suppression one year after transition to adult care or the 13th birthday if remaining in pediatric care.

RESULTS

In the natural experiment, 180 adolescents who turned 12 years old between 2011 and 2014 were evaluated; 35 (20%) transitioned to adult care under the old policy and 145 (80%) remained in pediatric care under the new policy. Adolescents who transitioned to the adult clinic had lower rates of retention in care (49%; 17/35) compared to adolescents remaining in the pediatric clinic (92%; 134/145; p<0.001). Retention in care was lower (ARR 0.59; 95%CI 0.43-0.82; p = 0.001) and viral suppression was similar (ARR = 1.06, 95%CI 0.89-1.26; p = 0.53) for adolescents who transitioned to adult care compared to adolescents remaining in pediatric care.

CONCLUSION

Adolescents living with perinatally-acquired HIV appear to have higher retention in care when cared for in pediatric clinics compared to adult clinics. Longer-term follow-up is needed to fully assess viral suppression.

Sero-status of preschoolers and disclosure to schools

Infants with HIV-infection have longevity due to improved Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART), making many realise their developmental progression which includes access to schooling. However, there is scant information that focuses on disclosure of their positive sero-status to schools and how these children understand and communicate their illnesses. This paper reports on a study of experiences of children affected by HIV and AIDS in Kenya. Qualitative phenomenological data from children aged between 5 and 7 years and their teachers in Early Childhood Development and Education (ECDE) centres were collected using multiple methods. Thematic content analysis was utilised with several themes emerging from findings. Obstacles to disclosure, anticipation of exceptional care, accidental disclosures, lack of psychosocial structures, a need for specialised skills training for teachers, and lack of clear guidelines to assist in disclosure processes emerged as some of the challenges faced. The findings also provide insights into teachers' scaffolding efforts to educate children in understanding and communicating their illnesses, and forging support structures through relationships with their siblings and peers for care and management.

Barriers to Retention in Care are Overcome by Adolescent-Friendly Services for Adolescents Living with HIV in South Africa: A Qualitative Analysis

To assess facilitators and barriers to retention in care for adolescents living with HIV, we conducted in-depth, semi-structured interviews with adolescents ages 13 to 24 years who were living with HIV and being cared for in either an adolescent-friendly or standard government-supported clinic in KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa. We used inductive content analysis approach based on grounded theory derived from reviewing, coding, and interpreting data. We interviewed 28 adolescents living with HIV (16 in the adolescent clinic and 12 from the pediatric clinic) and 14 of their caregivers. Barriers to retention in care included having to attend clinic during school hours, fear of disclosure to others, social isolation, and conflict with clinical staff. Facilitators to retention in care seen in the adolescent-friendly services clinic included after school clinic hours, peer support, and connection to the clinical staff. Adolescent-friendly services are facilitators of HIV care and warrant prioritization in treatment programs.

The Impact of Disclosure on Health and Related Outcomes in Human Immunodeficiency Virus-Infected Children: A Literature Review

This review explores the association between pediatric human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) disclosure and health and related outcomes among children living with HIV. A multi-stage process was used to search for relevant articles on the ISI Web of Knowledge database. Fifteen articles met the inclusion criteria. Five major outcomes emerged from children’s knowledge of their HIV-seropositive status: physical/physiological outcomes; adherence to antiretroviral therapy; psychosocial outcomes; sexual and reproductive health, including HIV prevention outcomes; and disclosure of status by the children. Disclosure of a child’s HIV status to the child has value in terms of positive health outcomes for the child, such as better adherence and slower disease progression—albeit the different studies did not always reach the same conclusions, and some suggest negative health outcomes, such as increased psychiatric hospitalization. Yet, there does not seem to be a systematic or coherent system for child disclosure. One recommendation from this review, therefore, is for government and program policies and guidelines that will promote child HIV disclosure in order to address the current low rates of disclosure in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). More rigorous and longitudinal studies on the outcomes of disclosure, with larger sample sizes, and in SSA, are also needed.

Thirty-year Perspective of the Long-term Survival, CD4 Percentage and Social Achievements of Perinatally HIV-infected Children as a Function of Their Birth Era

BACKGROUND

Pediatric HIV has evolved from a pre-antiretroviral (ART) era (pre-1989 or pre-ART) to an ART era (1989 to 1996) and to a highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) era (post-1996). As we have passed the third decade following these individuals, we thought it useful to review clinical, laboratory and social outcomes.

METHODS

A retrospective, cross-sectional study of 399 children infected perinatally. They were divided into pre-ART, ART and HAART groups. A Kaplan-Meier plot was constructed. One hundred seventy-nine have been lost to follow-up at an average of 7.6 (0.3-27.6) years.

RESULTS

Approximately 40%, 80% and 90% of individuals in the pre-ART, ART and HAART groups have long-term survival. One hundred twenty-one died at an average of 5.1 (0-26.1) years. Pre-ART, ART and HAART groups had mean most recent CD4% values (±SEM) of 16.74 (1.09), 22.97 (0.96) and 33.07 (2.09), respectively (P < 0.001). Pre-ART RNA is limited in that era and present if they survived to another era. In this group, the median RNA values in those who died (311,300, n = 16) was greater than in survivors (19,402, n = 45). Forty-three percent of the individuals in the ART group and 77% of individuals in the HAART group had most recent HIV RNA <400 copies/mL. Eighteen individuals >18 years of age have only a grade school or no education. Fifty-five have graduated high school or received an equivalency diploma. Twenty-three more have completed college. Nadir and recent CD4% of those who did and did not complete high school was equivalent to college graduates. Sixteen survivors (1/2 male) have had 18 uninfected children.

CONCLUSIONS

This first long-term follow-up study demonstrates remarkable survival and social skills of our patients.

Disclosing haemophilia at school: strategies employed by mothers of children with haemophilia in Japan

INTRODUCTION

Most children with haemophilia in Japan study in mainstream schools. However, many mothers have difficulty deciding whether to inform teachers of their child's haemophilia because of the accompanying potential discrimination and prejudice, particularly after the press coverage on the HIV scandal in the 1980s.

AIMS

We therefore aim to explore and describe disclosure strategies of mothers of children with haemophilia.

METHODS

A qualitative study was conducted using the modified grounded theory approach to explore disclosure strategies of mothers of children with haemophilia. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 selected mothers (12 children were HIV positive and 7 were HIV-negative).

RESULTS

In the pre-HIV/AIDS crisis period, the kind of strategy employed - full disclosure, conditional full disclosure and partial disclosure - depended on the extent of mothers' fears about mainstream schools refusing admission because of their child's haemophilia. After the HIV/AIDS crisis in the 1980s in Japan, the three categories of strategies employed by mothers of children with haemophilia were limited disclosure, non-disclosure and full disclosure. These depended on mothers' expectations of discrimination towards their child because of the social stigma around haemophilia and being HIV-positive.

CONCLUSION

For children with haemophilia to feel safe attending school, public schools must establish care management and anti-discrimination systems for children with chronic diseases, thus assuring parents of their children's welfare at school.

Factors associated with HIV-status disclosure to HIV-infected children receiving care at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Moshi, Tanzania

INTRODUCTION

With the introduction of antiretroviral drugs HIV-infected children live longer. Disclosure of HIV diagnosis is increasingly an important and inevitable issue. Both healthcare providers and caregivers face challenges of disclosure to children. The objective of the study was to explore factors associated with HIV-status disclosure to HIV-infected children receiving care at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC).

METHODS

A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted from October 2011 to April 2012. Study population included HIV-infected children aged 5 to 14 years, their caregivers and healthcare providers. Structured questionnaires were used to collect information. Children were asked the reason for hospital visits. Outcome of interest was HIV disclosure status. Data was processed and analysed using SPSS version 16.0. Multivariate logistic regression at 5% margin error was used to account for confounders.

RESULTS

A total of 211 children were enrolled with mean age of 9.7 (SD±2.6; range 5-14) years. Only 47 (22.3%) children knew their HIV-status. The mean age of disclosure was 10.6 years. Most of disclosed children were aged above 10 years (p).

CONCLUSION

Most of children were not disclosed. Ages, self medication, getting other support and parents/caregivers prior discussion were strong predictors of disclosure status.

Transdermal analgesia with local anesthetics in children: review, update and future directions

Topical local anesthetics in one form or another have been used for the past 20 years to alleviate the skin pain associated with needle puncture and venous cannulation in children. Although the application of topical anesthetic creams is painless compared with traditional local anesthetic infiltration of the skin and subcutaneous tissues prior to venipuncture and minor skin procedures, they remain underutilized, primarily due to their slow analgesic onset and inconsistent effectiveness. For a topical local anesthetic to be of practical use in busy clinical settings, it must be easy to apply, have minimal side effects, not require cumbersome equipment and be reasonably cost effective. Until recently, limitations in one or all of these areas have dissuaded pediatric practitioners from their routine use. However, recent advances in transdermal delivery technologies, have led to the emergence of a number of new delivery approaches that accelerate the onset time to 20 min or less and provide more consistent and deeper sensory skin analgesia. Although still in the early stages of investigation, technologies that promote the flux of drugs of all sizes through the skin by creating transient microchannels show great promise in circumventing the skin barrier and promoting the transdermal delivery of not only local anesthetics but also other drugs. Ultimately, the rationale to change clinical practice and use a new transdermal delivery system will depend upon the cost, ease of use, frequency of adverse events and the benefits to the patient relative to an alternative method.

Perinatally acquired HIV infection in adolescents from sub-Saharan Africa: a review of emerging challenges

Worldwide, more than three million children are infected with HIV, 90% of whom live in sub-Saharan Africa. As the HIV epidemic matures and antiretroviral treatment is scaled up, children with HIV are reaching adolescence in large numbers. The growing population of adolescents with perinatally acquired HIV infection living within this region presents not only unprecedented challenges but also opportunities to learn about the pathogenesis of HIV infection. In this Review, we discuss the changing epidemiology of paediatric HIV and the particular features of HIV infection in adolescents in sub-Saharan Africa. Longstanding HIV infection acquired when the immune system is not developed results in distinctive chronic clinical complications that cause severe morbidity. As well as dealing with chronic illness, HIV-infected adolescents have to confront psychosocial issues, maintain adherence to drugs, and learn to negotiate sexual relationships, while undergoing rapid physical and psychological development. Context-specific strategies for early identification of HIV infection in children and prompt linkage to care need to be developed. Clinical HIV care should integrate age-appropriate sexual and reproductive health and psychological, educational, and social services. Health-care workers will need to be trained to recognise and manage the needs of these young people so that the increasing numbers of children surviving to adolescence can access quality care beyond specialist services at low-level health-care facilities.

HIV-Positive Status Disclosure and Associated Factors among Children in North Gondar, Northwest Ethiopia

Introduction. Clinical reports have indicated positive outcomes associated with disclosure of HIV-positive status in children. This study assessed the level and associated factors of HIV-positive status disclosure to HIV-infected children in northwest Ethiopia. Methods. Institution-based cross-sectional study was conducted among HIV-positive children from March to April 2012. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire by face-to-face interview technique. Bivariate and multivariate analyses were performed. Results. Of the 428 children, 169 (39.5%) were disclosed their HIV-positive status. The mean age of HIV-positive status disclosure was at 10.7 (±2.3) years. Having a nonbiological parent (AOR = 4.14, 95% CI: 1.22, 14.04), child's age older than 10 years (AOR = 8.54, 95% CI: 4.5, 15.53), and death of a family member (AOR = 2.04, 95% CI: 1.16, 3.6) were significantly and independently associated with disclosure of HIV-positive status to infected children. Conclusions. The rate of disclosure of HIV-positive status to infected children still remains low in North Gondar. Hence, it is important to target children living with their biological parents and having young parents and children younger than 10 years. The guideline for disclosure of children with HIV/AIDS should be established in an Ethiopian context.

Caregivers' Barriers to Disclosing the HIV Diagnosis to Infected Children on Antiretroviral Therapy in a Resource-Limited District in South Africa: A Grounded Theory Study

We used a grounded theory approach to explore how a sample of caregivers of children on antiretroviral treatment (ART) experience HIV disclosure to their infected children. This paper explores caregivers' barriers to disclosing HIV to infected children. Caregivers of children aged 6-13 years who were receiving ART participated in four focus-group interviews. Three main themes, caregiver readiness to tell, right time to tell, and the context of disclosure, emerged. Disclosure was delayed because caregivers had to first deal with personal fears which influenced their readiness to disclose; disclosure was also delayed because caregivers did not know how to tell. Caregivers lacked disclosure skills because they had not been trained on how to tell their children about their diagnosis, on how to talk to their children about HIV, and on how to deal with a child who reacts negatively to the disclosure. Caregivers feared that the child might tell others about the diagnosis and would be discriminated and socially rejected and that children would live in fear of death and dying. Health care providers have a critical role to play in HIV disclosure to infected children, considering the caregivers' expressed desire to be trained and prepared for the disclosure.

Projetos de vida de adultos jovens portadores de HIV por transmissão vertical: estudo exploratório com usuários de um ambulatório de infectologia

Esta pesquisa teve o intuito de conhecer os projetos de vida de jovens adultos que convivem com o HIV/aids a partir da transmissão vertical, com relação a: estudo, trabalho e constituição familiar. Outro objetivo foi o de conhecer sua vivência no que diz respeito à assistência recebida. Como instrumentos, foram utilizados: questionário sociodemográfico e entrevista semiestruturada. Foram realizadas 16 entrevistas com jovens de idade entre 18 e 22 anos, usuários de um ambulatório de um hospital público especializado na área de Infectologia. O material obtido nas entrevistas foi analisado segundo os princípios da análise temática. Foram encontradas seis categorias temáticas: estudo e escolaridade; trabalho e emprego; sexualidade e constituição familiar; vivência de preconceito; adesão ao tratamento; acolhimento. Os entrevistados referiram que a escola é importante meio para a inserção social e para a conquista da autonomia. O trabalho foi apresentado como principal fonte de subsistência e de independência. O exercício da sexualidade foi marcado pela situação de existência do HIV, determinando cuidados especiais; quanto à conjugalidade, os projetos dos entrevistados são variados: união informal, casamento oficial, vida sem cônjuge. No que diz respeito à maternidade/paternidade, os projetos são marcadamente influenciados pela portabilidade do HIV, despertando dúvidas e receios. Os entrevistados relataram a existência do preconceito em vários contextos. Quanto à adesão ao tratamento, revelaram a existência tanto de dificuldades como de mecanismos criados para enfrentá-las. O acolhimento por parte de familiares, amigos e profissionais da saúde foi considerado fundamental para o desenvolvimento e a manutenção de seus projetos de vida.

Disclosure of diagnosis by parents and caregivers to children infected with HIV: prevalence associated factors and perceived barriers in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Vertical transmission of HIV from infected mothers to children is a common phenomenon. After the introduction of highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART), most children live longer than before. Recently, HAART has become widely available to children living in sub-Saharan African countries, and this makes disclosure of HIV status an important issue. We conducted a cross-sectional survey involving 172 parents/caregivers of HIV-infected school-age children who had follow-up at the Pediatric Infectious Disease Clinic of the Yekatit 12 Hospital, Addis Ababa. Only 16.3% of HIV-infected schoolchildren knew their diagnosis. The child's age was the main predictor of disclosure (OR: -0.25; 95% CI: -0.35, -0.09; p<0.05). The main reason for nondisclosure was fear of negative emotional consequences for the child. More than half of the parent/caregivers agreed that they need to tell the children their diagnosis, but 86% reported that they needed health care providers to help them at the event. The low rate of disclosure found in this study shows the need for awareness creation and training of health professionals, and this should be supported by appropriate guidelines to be followed by health professionals working in pediatric ART clinics. Caregivers need to be provided with the necessary knowledge and skills on how to look after children who know their HIV status.

Parental concerns about disclosure of a child's HIV/AIDS status in Singapore

A qualitative study was conducted to examine parental concerns over the issue of disclosure with those whose children were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven parents and the main issues that arose from the interviews were (a) parents' explanation of their children's medical condition; (b) factors that influence disclosure; (c) factors that hinder disclosure; and (d) parents' perception on the appropriate time for disclosure. Parents viewed disclosure as a single event, as opposed to an ongoing process where varying levels of information on the illness was to be provided in accordance to the children's individual cognitive and emotional development.

Patterns of diagnosis disclosure and its correlates in HIV-Infected North Indian children

This facility-based cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the patterns of disclosure of HIV positive serostatus among 145 Indian children aged >5 years. Only 60 (41.4%) children were aware of their HIV-positive status. Disclosure was most frequently done by parents [51/60 (85%)] at a mean age of 9.1 ± 1.4 years. The rate of inaccurate disclosure was high [64/85 (75.3%)]. No information regarding their illness was given to 21/85 (24.7%) children. The most common reason for non-disclosure was that the child is too young [79/85 (92.9%)]. The factors favoring disclosure were increasing duration since diagnosis of HIV infection [odds ratio (OR) = 1.46; 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.11-1.93], non-perinatal mode of transmission (OR = 6.14; 95% CI 2.01-15.80), ART initiation (OR = 3.05; 95% CI 1.33-7.01), school enrolment (OR = 3.52; 95% CI 1.44-7.57) and caregiver educated beyond fifth grade (OR = 2.69; 95% CI 1.21-5.96). Detailed guidelines on disclosure are required focusing on children of school-going age with perinatal infection who are not on ART and with caregivers of low educational status.

Correlates of sexual activity and sexually transmitted infections among human immunodeficiency virus-infected youth in the LEGACY cohort, United States, 2006

BACKGROUND

To determine the prevalence and correlates of sexual activity and sexually transmitted infections (STIs) among human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-infected youth.

METHODS

The Longitudinal Epidemiologic Study to Gain Insight into HIV/AIDS in Children and Youth (LEGACY) is an observational medical record study of perinatally and behaviorally HIV-infected (PHIV and BHIV) youth followed at 22 US HIV clinics. PHIV youth were HIV infected at birth or by breast-feeding. BHIV youth were HIV infected sexually or by injection drug use. We determined the prevalence of sexual activity during 2006 and examined correlates of sexual activity among 13- to 24-year-old PHIV youth using multivariable generalized linear models. Among sexually active persons, we determined the association between mode of HIV acquisition and non-HIV STI diagnosis using multivariable generalized linear models.

RESULTS

In all, 34% (195/571) of PHIV and 89% (162/181) of BHIV youth were sexually active. Eighty percent (155/195) of sexually active PHIV youth reported ever using condoms. Ninety-three percent discussed sex with a health care provider. Increasing age (adjusted prevalence ratio [APR]: 1.17 per year of age, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 1.12-1.23), having a boyfriend/girlfriend (APR: 2.74, 95% CI = 1.75-4.29), and injection drug use (APR: 1.38, 95% CI = 1.06-1.79) correlated with sexual activity after adjusting for socio-demographic and HIV-related clinical variables. Among sexually active youth, after adjusting for relevant confounders, PHIV youth were less likely than BHIV youth to have been diagnosed with an STI in 2006 (APR: 0.25, 95% CI = 0.13-0.46).

CONCLUSIONS

Sexual activity among HIV-infected adolescents is common. Factors associated with sexual activity in this study should be taken into account in developing behavioral risk reduction interventions targeting PHIV youth.

Prevalence and pattern of disclosure of HIV status in HIV-infected children in Ghana

With the advent of highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) HIV-infected children are surviving into adulthood. Despite emerging evidence of the benefits of disclosure, when and how to disclose the diagnosis of HIV to children remain a clinical dilemma. We investigated the prevalence and determinants of HIV disclosure in a cross-sectional study of 71 caregiver-child dyads from the Pediatric HIV/AIDS Care Program at Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital (Accra, Ghana). The children were between 8 and 14 years of age (median age, 10.39 years). The prevalence of disclosure was 21%. In the unadjusted analyses, the age of child, the level of education of child, deceased biologic father, administration of own HIV medications, and longer duration on HIV medication were significantly associated with disclosure. The low prevalence of disclosure underscores the need for a systematic and a staged approach in disclosing HIV status to infected children in resource limited countries.

Disclosure of HIV status to infected children in a Nigerian HIV Care Programme

With increasing survival of HIV-infected children, parents face the challenges of disclosure to the children. The aim of this study was to assess the rate of HIV disclosure to children in Ibadan and the factors influencing it in order to guide design of strategies for successful disclosure. A semi-structured questionnaire was administered to consecutive consenting caregivers of HIV-infected children aged ≥6 years attending the Paediatric Infectious Disease Clinic of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, between November 2008 and October 2009. Caregivers of 96 children (46 boys, 50 girls) infected with HIV were interviewed. The ages of the children ranged from 6 to 14 years with a mean (SD) of 8.8 (2.2) years. Disclosure had been done in only 13 (13.5%) of the children; ages at disclosure ranged from 4.5 to 13 years with a mean of 8.7 (SD = 2.2). Disclosure was associated with age above 10 years. Reasons given by carers for non-disclosure in 83 caregivers included inability of the children to understand in 53 (63.9%), fear of disclosure to other children 34 (41.0%), fear of disclosure to family/friends in 28 (33.7%), fear of psychological disturbance of the children in 26 (31.3%) and fear of blaming the parents in 22 (26.5%). Twenty (20.8%) of the children have asked questions relating to their diagnosis and the responses are often evasive. Caregivers felt disclosure had helped adherence to antiretroviral therapy in 7 (63.6%) of the 11 children on antiretroviral drugs in whom there was disclosure but no effect on the remaining. There is a need to assist parents and health care providers in successfully disclosing HIV status to infected children without adverse consequences.

Patterns of disclosure of HIV status to infected children in a Sub-Saharan African setting

OBJECTIVE

Adult caregivers provide children living with HIV with varying amounts and types of information about their health status that may affect their coping and health care behaviors. We aimed to describe patterns of information sharing with children and thoughts around disclosure among caregivers in the Democratic Republic of the Congo.

METHODS

A total of 259 primary caregivers of children aged 5 to 17 years in an HIV pediatric care and treatment program were screened; 8 adult caregivers (3%) had informed their child of the child's HIV status. We conducted structured interviews with 201 caregivers whose children had not yet been told their HIV status.

RESULTS

Nearly 50% of caregivers had provided no information to their child about their health; 15% had given partial information without mentioning HIV, and 33% provided information that deflected attention from HIV, whether deliberately so or otherwise. Almost all caregivers said that the child should be told their status some day, and three-fourths reported having ever thought about what might lead them to tell. However, nearly one-third of caregivers saw no benefits to informing the child of her/his HIV status. A majority of caregivers felt that they themselves were the best to eventually disclose to the child but some wanted support from health care providers.

CONCLUSIONS

HIV-infected children are given limited information about their health. Health care providers may serve as important sources of support to caregivers as they decide when and how to talk candidly with their children about their health.

Factors associated with HIV/AIDS diagnostic disclosure to HIV infected children receiving HAART: a multi-center study in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND

Diagnostic disclosure of HIV/AIDS to a child is becoming an increasingly common issue in clinical practice. Nevertheless, some parents and health care professionals are reluctant to inform children about their HIV infection status. The objective of this study was to identify the proportion of children who have knowledge of their serostatus and factors associated with disclosure in HIV-infected children receiving HAART in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted in five hospitals in Addis Ababa from February 18, 2008-April 28, 2008. The study populations were parents/caretakers and children living with HIV/AIDS who were receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) in selected hospitals in Addis Ababa. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis were carried out using SPSS 12.0.1 statistical software.

RESULTS

A total of 390 children/caretaker pairs were included in the study. Two hundred forty three children (62.3%) were between 6-9 years of age. HIV/AIDS status was known by 68 (17.4%) children, 93 (29%) caretakers reported knowing the child's serostatus two years prior to our survey, 180 (46.2%) respondents said that the child should be told about his/her HIV/AIDS status when he/she is older than 14 years of age. Children less than 9 years of age and those living with educated caregivers are less likely to know their results than their counterparts. Children referred from hospital's in-patient ward before attending the HIV clinic and private clinic were more likely to know their results than those from community clinic.

CONCLUSION

The proportion of disclosure of HIV/AIDS diagnosis to HIV-infected children is low. Strengthening referral linkage and health education tailored to educated caregivers are recommended to increase the rate of disclosure.

Changing methods of disclosure. Literature review of disclosure to children with terminal illnesses, including HIV

More than 30 years after the first discovery of the deadly HIV virus, and in the wake of increased knowledge of transmission, treatment and behavioral intervention development, parents are still faced with the difficult task of whether, when and how to inform their child about her or his HIV status. Except for some general ethical considerations, there are no national or international guidelines available for handling HIV status disclosure to a child by parents and health professionals. Most studies on disclosure address the problem of stigma and the barriers to disclosure of HIV-positive status by adults to their sexual partners, caretakers, families and communities, but very few studies focus on disclosure to HIV-positive children. The majority of the studies that address disclosure to children limit themselves to stipulating reasons for barriers to such disclosure instead of the skills and knowledge necessary for effective disclosure to a child. Increasing availability of therapy for HIV across the world presses the issue of disclosure to the child. Even so, disclosure for children who are HIV-positive due to vertical transmission continues to be very difficult. There is a lack of interventions that consider guidelines for healthcare professionals, parents or persons involved with taking care of HIV-positive children. These interventions should be designed in an understanding manner towards the culture where they might be implemented and be as appropriate in the view of integrating different family structures and the child's development.

Disclosure of the HIV infection status in children

OBJECTIVE

To determine the perception of caregivers about the disclosure of the diagnosis of HIV infection in children.

METHODS

Caregivers of fifty HIV-infected children were enrolled in the study after taking written informed consent. They were interviewed using a structured questionnaire. The questionnaire included information on the demographic details, questions about the disclosure status of HIV infection in children and perceptions about the disclosure of status to child.

RESULTS

Only 7 out of the 50 children (14%) were aware of their HIV status while 43/50 (86%) were unaware; as reported by their guardians/ parents. Only 6 percent children (3/50) were given factual information about the disease while 68% (34/50) were given no information. Majority of caregivers felt mid-teenage as the appropriate age for disclosing the HIV infection status and that the parents were the appropriate persons to reveal the infection status (21/50, 42%).

CONCLUSION

There is need to develop and implement guidelines for disclosure of HIV infection status to HIV-infected children in resource limited settings.

Disclosure of an HIV diagnosis to children: history, current research, and future directions

Disclosing the diagnosis of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) or AIDS to a child is a controversial and emotionally charged issue among both the health care communities and parents and caregivers of these children. This paper provides a systematic review of research on disclosure of pediatric HIV infection. It begins with a brief discussion of disclosure drawing from research on pediatric cancer. Next, we review the available research including patterns of disclosure, factors associated with disclosure and nondisclosure, and the effect of disclosure on psychological health and adherence. A review of published intervention studies is also included. While no consensus on when the diagnosis of HIV should be disclosed to a child or the psychological outcomes associated with disclosure was found, clinical consensus on several issues related to working with families was identified. We apply this literature to clinical practice and suggest avenues and directions for future research.

Adherence to high activity antiretrovial therapy (HAART) in pediatric patients infected with HIV: issues and interventions

It has been proven that HAART is effective in suppressing human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) replication, decreasing morbidity and mortality associated with HIV and improving quality of life in adults as well as children infected with HIV. However, drugs don't work in patients who don't take them and in the management of HIV infection it is now well established that optimum adherence to HAART is critical to successful outcome of patients receiving therapy. At least 95% adherence to HAART is optimum and studies have shown that 50%. Important factors that influence adherence to HAART such as regimen related complexities, patient/family related issues and factors related to healthcare delivery system makes adherence to HAART challenging. Although numerous interventions to improve adherence have been investigated in developed as well as developing countries, majority of work in this area is focused on adherence in adults and data in children is limited. Therefore, in order to facilitate adherence and improve outcome of HAART in pediatric population, it is necessary to have a deep understanding of the factors influencing adherence and interventions that can improve adherence in children.

Disclosure of HIV/AIDS diagnosis to HIV-infected children in Thailand

BACKGROUND

With the availability of highly active antiretroviral therapy, more HIV-infected children have lived longer. Many children are at the age that they should know the diagnosis.

AIM

To identify the prevalence and patterns of disclosure of HIV/AIDS diagnosis to HIV-infected children.

METHODS

A cross-sectional study was conducted among 103 main care givers of HIV-infected children aged > or =6 years who received highly active antiretroviral therapy at Chiang Mai University and Sanpatong district hospitals, northern Thailand.

RESULTS

One-third (30.1%) of the children knew their HIV/AIDS status at an average age of 9.2 years. The care givers' understanding of 'knowing' did not always mean that the children were told the name of 'HIV' or 'AIDS'. Many of those care givers (84.3%) who reported that the child did not know their diagnosis had inaccurately explained to the child that he or she had some kind of disease such as allergy, lung, or liver disease. The most common reason for non-disclosure was the fear that disclosure might have negative psychological consequences to the child (53.4%). Almost all (88.7%) agreed that they should tell the children their diagnosis in the future but half needed health-care providers to help them at the event.

CONCLUSION

There is a need for the development of disclosure guide-lines and models for health-care providers and care givers as there was a high rate of inaccurate disclosure and, in addition, care givers expressed their need for assistance from health-care providers for the future disclosure.

Facilitating adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy in children with HIV infection: what are the issues and what can be done?

Treatment of HIV infection with highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) requires sustained adherence to treatment to maintain efficacy. In pediatric patients, adherence to HAART represents a significant challenge for treated children and for their caregivers and healthcare providers. Many factors can affect adherence to HAART including: (i) factors related to the patient and his/her family; (ii) factors related to the drug/medication; and (iii) factors related to the healthcare system. Different strategies can be employed to tackle the specific obstacles identified in these three groups, and thus to facilitate adherence. Among the key interventions centered on the patient and his/her family are the tailoring of the HAART regimen to the daily activities of the child and his/her family, and the implementation of an intensive education program on adherence for the child and the caregiver, prior to starting the treatment. Specific medication-related problems (depending on drug pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties, taste and palatability, food interactions, etc.) exist; such problems can not be solved solely by clinicians or by families. Greater commitment of the pharmaceutical industry is needed, and innovative solutions have to be identified by clinicians in partnership with drug manufacturers. Furthermore, the development of an 'adherence strategy/program' can be recommended to all institutions working in pediatric HIV infection. Most of the necessary interventions to be included in such programs can be easily implemented, but they require trained and committed staff (and institutions), and time to be spent with patients and their caregivers.

Youths and HIV/AIDS: psychiatry's role in a changing epidemic

OBJECTIVE

To review the past 10 years of published research on human immunodeficiency virus/acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) in the United States, including psychosocial and psychiatric risk factors, epidemiology, biology, neurocognitive and psychiatric sequelae, disclosure issues, prevention strategies, and biological and behavioral treatments.

METHOD

Researchers reviewed the English-language literature with a focus on child and adolescent risk factors associated with HIV/AIDS, prevention, and treatment.

RESULTS

Substantial scientific advances have occurred over the past two decades leading to decreased morbidity and mortality in the United States from AIDS-related opportunistic infections. At the same time, rates of HIV infection are increasing in teenagers, young women, and minorities, and growing numbers of youths are living with an infected family member. Understanding HIV risk behavior requires a broad theoretical framework. Comprehensive HIV prevention programs have led to reduced risk behavior among HIV-affected youths and teens at risk of infection. Biological and behavioral treatments of HIV infection continue to evolve and have led to longer life span, improved quality of life, and fewer psychiatric problems.

CONCLUSIONS

HIV/AIDS has significant mental health implications, and psychiatry can play a critical role in curbing the epidemic. With minimal effort, mental health professionals can adapt and apply the strategies that they use to treat psychiatric symptoms to prevent HIV transmission behaviors.

Integrating adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy into children's daily lives: a qualitative study

OBJECTIVE

To acquire a deeper understanding of factors that influence adherence to highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) in a pediatric population.

METHODS

We performed a qualitative study of adherence in children who receive HAART in a Belgian pediatric acquired immune deficiency syndrome referral center. Eleven primary caregivers were interviewed to assess their child's adherence and influencing factors. The interview guidelines were developed on the basis of an extensive literature review. Adherence to treatment was assessed using caregivers' self-report and laboratory results. Content analysis for common items was performed, and statements of adherent and less-adherent patients were compared.

RESULTS

Three main factors influenced adherence. Adherent patients were found to internalize the medical information to a stronger extent than less-adherent patients. Adherent patients showed stronger motivation to stick to the medical regimen on the basis of personal cost-benefit analyses, ie, perceived benefits outweighed the costs or difficulties experienced. Adherent patients developed greater problem-solving capacities, ie, ways to deal with practical complications of medication intake. The interviews revealed a fourth, more dynamic component: knowledge, motivation, and capacities evolved in a progressive way, related to individual stages of coping with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV).

CONCLUSIONS

The data suggest that coping with HIV and the process of establishing good adherence may be interrelated. Caregivers who accept the disease may be more likely to internalize the received information and thus develop a stronger motivation to fight for the child's life. Problem-solving skills sustain this adherence, and medication becomes a priority in the adherent caregivers' daily lives. On the contrary, less-adherent caregivers may be situated at less advanced stages of the coping process. Thus, tailor-made approaches adapted to the individual HIV-related coping strategies need to be developed to improve adherence in children and caregivers.

Assessment of adherence with medications in human immunodeficiency virus-infected children

The purpose of this study was to determine the reliability of screening for medication adherence in HIV-infected children. The results suggest that caregivers who are unable to describe the medication regimen or who are nonadherent with appointments are unlikely to adhere to the medication regimen. Adherence with at least 90% of medication doses was associated with a virologic response.

Adherence to combination antiretroviral treatment in children

PURPOSE

To assess the level of nonadherence to combination antiretroviral therapy of HIV-infected children and to identify the main problems faced by caregivers when giving medicines to children.

METHOD

A questionnaire was administered to the caregivers of HIV-infected children who were under combination antiretroviral treatment and were followed at our institution.

RESULTS

We evaluated 44 children (mean age, 9.4 years); 13 were treated with a two-drug regimen, 30 with a three-drug regimen, and 1 with a four-drug regimen. Each child received a mean of 8.1 pills and/or syrup doses. In 54.5% of treatments, food restrictions were necessary. The mother was the main person giving medicines to the child (56.8%). A complete written schedule of the child's treatment was present in 50% of families. About 20.5% and 31.8% of children had missed at least one dose of antiretroviral drugs in the last 3 days before assessment and since last visit (1-2 months earlier), respectively. Main problems reported by caregivers were: (a) too many medicines/ pills (34%); (b) difficulty in swallowing pills (29.5%); (c) taking medicines at school or out of home (27.3%); (d) child resisting/refusing therapy/spitting out (25%); and (e) food interactions (22.7%).

CONCLUSION

The observed high level of nonadherence was similar to what was reported by other pediatric studies. Specific interventions aimed at improving compliance in pediatric patients were identified: improvement of anti-HIV drug formulations, better counselling for children and their families, and tailoring of antiretroviral treatment. However, caution is necessary in generalizing our results due to the small sample size and to the heterogeneity of the cohort.

Disclosure of HIV diagnosis to children: when, where, why, and how

Despite recent recommendations by the American Academy of Pediatrics that strongly encourage disclosure of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection to school-age children, health care providers vary widely in their actual disclosure practices. Concrete guidelines for accomplishing disclosure are not currently available. Nondisclosure can result in a variety of problems, including anxiety, depression, phobias, and exclusion from peer support groups and medical camps. This article reviews the available literature on disclosure of HIV infection to children and describes the disclosure process used in a large, urban pediatric HIV clinic.

Adherence to medication regimens among children with human immunodeficiency virus infection

BACKGROUND

Rigorous adherence to antiretroviral medication regimens is necessary to achieve and maintain undetectable viral levels. This study describes adherence in a population of children with HIV infection.

METHODS

Caregivers of HIV-infected children were interviewed about their experiences with administration of medications for treatment of HIV, opinions regarding medication-related issues and the potential usefulness of interventions to improve adherence.

RESULTS

In the 90 caregiver interviews completed, 78% of the children were taking 3 or more medications, 17% missed a dose in the previous 24 h and 43% missed at least 1 dose in the previous week. Children whose caregivers reported no missed doses in the previous week (adherent) were more likely to have an HIV viral load <400 copies/ml (50% vs. 24%, P = 0.04). Nonadherent caregivers (who reported 1 or more missed doses in the previous week) were more likely than adherent caregivers to agree with a statement that full adherence is impossible (44% vs. 12%, P = 0.001) and express the need for more help with medication administration (26% vs. 6%, P = 0.02). They were less likely to have informed the school or day-care site about the child's HIV infection (42% vs. 67%, P = 0.05) and more concerned about the child's teachers and friends finding out (54% vs. 31%, P = 0.05). Of 10 potential interventions 6 were rated by a majority of respondents as "very helpful": better tasting medications (81%); longer dosing intervals (72%); medications that did not require refrigeration (63%); access to 24-h telephone advice (62%); a follow-up call from a health care provider (57%); and a pill organizer (56%).

CONCLUSIONS

Caregivers' perceptions that adherence is too difficult or concerns about loss of privacy may affect their ability to adhere to complicated medication regimens. Caregivers felt that the most helpful interventions would be modifications to improve the convenience and palatability of medications and increased access to medical advice.