An exploration of HIV Status disclosure to the infected minors by parents/caregivers/guardians in Thulamela Municipality

Abstract

The disclosure of Human Immunodeficiency Virus status can be a problematic issue; it may cause a stressful and anxious situation in one’s life before and after the process of disclosure of Human Immunodeficiency virus. To disclose Human Immunodeficiency virus status to your child or guardian children become more difficult as they may fear stigma come and many questions that may arise after disclosure of Human Immunodeficiency Virus. The purpose of the study was to explore and describe the barriers and facilitators of disclosure of Human Immunodeficiency Virus status by parents, caregivers, and or guardians to propose the strategies to promote disclosure of Human Immunodeficiency Virus status to the infected minors. The study was qualitative, descriptive, explorative and contextual designs were employed. The study was conducted in one of the Health Centers which was selected in Thulamela Municipality, at Vhembe district. Non-probability, purposive sampling was be used to select 30 caregivers, parents, and guardians however sampling size was determined by data saturation when 22 participants interviewed. The study made use of a Semi-structured in-depth interview for data collection instrument and was pre-tested at the same selected clinic using four parents, caregivers, and guardians of the Human Immunodeficiency Virus-infected minors and the findings also make part of the study. Trustworthiness was ensured through credibility, dependability, conformability, and transferability and ethical consideration were adhering to throughout the study. Data were analysed through thematic analysis and four themes emerged from the data which included; psychosocial challenges related to Human Immunodeficiency Virus disclosure, barriers that hinder Human Immunodeficiency Virus disclosure, facilitators of Human Immunodeficiency Virus disclosure and suggestions to improve Human Immunodeficiency Virus disclosure. The findings of the study show that parents/caregivers/guardians encounter several barriers regarding the disclosure of the Human immunodeficiency Virus to infected minors. The recommendations were based on the findings of the study.