AIDSImpact.com:: - Santa Fe, USA 2011

Abstract #94 - Parental disclosure in times of HAARTt: Children’s roles in supporting treatment adherence in Burkina Faso
Authors: Presenting Author: Dr Georges Tiendrebeogo - Royal Tropical Institute
Additional Authors: Ms. Fabienne Hekoaka, Dr. André Soubeiga, Ms. Mireille Belem, Mr. Pascal L. G. Compaore, Ms. Nathalie Ouangraoua,
Aim: Why do – or don’t – parents on HAART disclose their HIV status to their children? When and how do they involve their children in their illness and treatment? How do children respond?
Method / Issue: We conducted in-depth interviews with 63 parents of children aged seven and above, where the parents had been in treatment for more than three years in two major cities in Burkina Faso. The interviews addressed parental disclosure and the role of children in treatment.
Results / Comments: We found the incidence of parental disclosure to be as high as that of non-disclosure, and gender, children’s age, and history of divorce or widowhood to influence disclosing behaviour. Many non-disclosing parents suspected that their children already knew; many also believed that children lacked the emotional skills to understand their illness and doubted their ability to maintain secrecy. Disclosing parents, however, did not incur their children’s blame; nor was their secret revealed. Their children instead became active helpers in treatment.
Discussion: Despite the relative improvements that come with access to HAART, disclosure to children without institutionalised counselling support remains a painful experience for both parents and children and suggests a need to rethink current counselling practices.
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