Disclosure of HIV status to infected children in Swaziland

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to develop support guidelines to assist with disclosure of HIV status to HIV infected children by their parents and caregivers in Swaziland. The study explored parents’ and caregivers’ experiences with disclosure, and described the pattern of disclosure for HIV status to infected children. A qualitative descriptive research was conducted. Data were collected through semi-structured with thirteen (13) parents and caregivers who were purposively selected to participate in the study. Data analysis was done using qualitative content analysis. Three themes emerged which were understanding the general concept of disclosure, the pattern followed by parents and caregivers on disclosure of HIV status to infected children and the experiences of parents and caregivers on HIV status disclosure to their children. Based on the findings, support guidelines were formulated to assist parents and caregivers with disclosure of HIV status to their infected children. The outcome of this study is the description of a clear pattern of when, how and what to be disclosed to HIV infected children; as described by the parents and caregivers of the HIV positive children.