The process of HIV status disclosure to HIV-positive youth in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo

• Published in: AIDS care Vol. 20; no. 7; pp. 842 - 852
• Main Authors: VAZ, L, CORNELI, A, DULYX, J, RENNIE, S, OMBA, S, KITETELE, F, BEHETS, F
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Abingdon Taylor & Francis 01-08-2008; Taylor & Francis Ltd
• Subjects: Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome; Adaptation, Psychological; Adolescent; Adolescents; Adult; African people; AIDS; AIDS/HIV; Anti-Retroviral Agents - therapeutic use; Biological and medical sciences; Caregivers; Child; Child health; Children; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Disclosure; Epidemics; Family - psychology; Family environment. Family history; Female; Health Personnel - psychology; HIV; HIV Infections - drug therapy; HIV Infections - psychology; Human immunodeficiency virus; Human viral diseases; Humans; Infectious diseases; Male; Medical sciences; Medical sociology; Medical treatment; Patient Compliance; Psychology. Psychoanalysis. Psychiatry; Psychopathology. Psychiatry; Public health; Qualitative analysis; Republic of the Congo; Social psychiatry. Ethnopsychiatry; Status; Studies; Sub Saharan Africa; Truth Disclosure; Viral diseases; Viral diseases of the lymphoid tissue and the blood. Aids; Congo (Democratic republic); Sub-Saharan Africa; Congo; Africa; Democratic Republic of the Congo; Congo-Democratic Republic of Congo; Kinshasa Democratic Republic of Congo; Human; Social environment; Immunopathology; Caregiver; Mental health; Retroviridae; AIDS; Immune deficiency; Lentivirus; Preadolescent; Parent child relation; Infection; Virus; Information communication; Social interaction; Viral disease; Adolescent; Young adult; Family environment; Self disclosure; Qualitative analysis; Diagnosis; Human immunodeficiency virus; Public health
• ISSN: 0954-0121; 1360-0451
• DOI: 10.1080/09540120701742276

As access to HIV/AIDS treatment increases in sub-Saharan Africa, greater attention is being paid to HIV-infected youth. Little is known about how HIV-positive youth are informed of their HIV infection. As part of a larger formative study informing a treatment program in Kinshasa, Democratic Republic of the Congo, semi-structured interviews were conducted with 19 youth (10-21 years) who had previously been told their HIV status and 21 caregivers who had disclosed the youth's HIV status to the youth. Questions explored youth's and caregivers' experiences of and immediate reactions to disclosure. Youth's median age at disclosure was 15 years old, with a range of 10-18 years based on caregiver reports (n=21) and from 10-19 years based on youth reports (n=18). The most common reasons spontaneously given for disclosing were the child's adherence to their treatment regimen (5/16), the need of the child to protect her/himself or stay healthy (5/16), the child's increasing age (4/16) and so that the child would know why they are suffering (3/16). Most youth (16/19) were surprised to learn of their diagnosis; 50% (8/16) wondered about the infection's origins. A large majority felt that it is better for them to know their HIV status (88%; 15/17). HIV care and treatment programs must be prepared to address the psychosocial needs of youth and their caregivers during the disclosure process.