Growing up: perspectives of children, families and service providers regarding the needs of older children with perinatally-acquired HIV

Children with perinatally-acquired HIV are living into adolescence and adulthood. As this is a relatively new phenomenon, there is a paucity of research highlighting the complex issues that arise for these children. This qualitative case-study examines the needs of a select group of older children (9-16 years old) with perinatally-acquired HIV in the province of British Columbia, Canada through focus groups and interviews conducted with ten HIV-infected children, 11 family members and 11 service providers. The needs of this population are diverse, reflecting its heterogeneity. However, participants consistently highlighted issues of stigma, sexual health and mental health as major areas of current and future concern. Continued support, education and future planning in these areas are necessary for older HIV-infected children as they transition out of childhood.

Journal writing as a social support strategy for parents of premature infants: a pilot study

BACKGROUND

Having a premature baby is acknowledged to be stressful to parents. Journal writing combines practical, emotional and informational support that may be useful to these parents.

METHODS

We conducted a study to assess the potential for promoting journal-writing for parents receiving social support in a special care nursery (SCN). Parents were provided with educational material on journal writing, and subsequently surveyed concerning their journal-writing during their child's hospitalization.

RESULTS

Of the 73 parents enrolled, 32% kept a journal; of these, 73% felt it helped considerably in reducing stress, and 68% used it as a means of addressing the most stressful elements of their nursery experience. Journals were used primarily to document involvement in care (45%), record-keeping (36%), and organization of thoughts (27%). All of those who kept a journal recommended it for use by other parents.

CONCLUSIONS

Encouraging parents to keep a journal is a constructive way of dealing with the SCN-related stress.