Predictors of pediatric HIV disclosure among caregivers of HIV positive children attending special treatment clinic in Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia, Nigeria

Abstract

Background: HIV‑infected children now live longer due to the availability of HIV counseling, testing, and treatment with highly active antiretroviral treatment (HAART). Efforts to help these children to know about the HIV infection and their status are important steps toward long‑term disease management. This study was conducted to determine the factors associated with pediatric HIV disclosure among caregivers of children attending Special Treatment Clinic at Dalhatu Araf Specialist Hospital, Lafia. Methods: This was a descriptive
cross‑sectional study conducted among 160 caregivers of children attending the Special Treatment Clinic (STC) at DASH, Lafia, selected by systematic random sampling technique. Interviewer administered structured questionnaire was used to collect data, while bivariate and multivariate analyses were done with the Epi Info version 7. Results: Pediatric HIV disclosure rate in this study was 33.8%. The mean age at pediatric HIV disclosure was 9.85 ± 1.86 years. The independent predictors for pediatric HIV disclosure following logistic regression were child’s age, 10–14 years (AOR = 4.46; 95%CI 1.47–13.61), child knowledge of caregivers’ HIV status (AOR = 51.18; 95%CI 13.40–195.66), and caregivers’ age ≥40 years (AOR = 3.58; 95%CI 1.25–11.74). Conclusions: The pediatric HIV disclosure was low in this study due to the caregivers’ and their wards’ factors. Health care workers need to intensify health education on the benefit of pediatric HIV disclosure at the STC clinic.