Factors associated with HIV status disclosure to HIV infected children attending care and treatment centers in Morogoro municipal

Abstract

ABSTRACT Background: There has been a significant reduction in morbidity and mortality of HIV-infected children and more of them are surviving through childhood and into adolescence due to the use of ART. However, disclosure of HIV status remains a complex and a critical issue. Aim: The study assessed the prevalence of HIV status disclosure and determined the demographic, psychosocial, clinical and treatment factors associated with HIV status disclosure. Materials & Methods: This analytical cross-sectional study involved 300 HIV positive children attending nine Care and Treatment Centers in Morogoro Municipal, selected using stratified random sampling. Data was collected through an interviewer-administered form. Modified Poisson regression analysis was performed to identify independent factors for HIV status disclosure. Results: The prevalence of HIV status disclosure to infected children was 49.3%. The significant factors associated with HIV status disclosure were the increasing child’s age (adjusted prevalence ratio (aPR) = 1.19, 95% CI 1.13–1.25), the presence of the child’s treatment supporter (aPR = 8.18, 95% CI 4.51–14.82), and the HIV condition of the child having no impact on the family (aPR= 1.45, 95% CI: 1.05-2.01). Conclusion and recommendations: The prevalence of disclosure among children in this study was notably low. Child’s age, a child having a treatment supporter, and the child’s illness not having impact on the family were associated with HIV status disclosure. Health authorities should ensure that healthcare providers implement WHO guidelines on HIV disclosure to children specifically on the age of disclosure (6-12 years), encourage treatment supporters' involvement, and frequently train healthcare workers to provide psychosocial support to mitigate the impact on family dynamics.