Children Living With HIV/AIDS in Kolfe Keraniyo Sub-City: What Contributes to an HIV Positive Child Psychosocial Thriving? A Qualitative Study
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Date
2015-02
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Ethiopia has among the highest HIV infection rate in the Sub-Saharan Africa and the
epidemic has left a large proportion of children and adolescents living with HIV/AIDS.
HIV positive children’s psychosocial well-being is at risk due to the confounding
variables associated with the epidemic though the antiretroviral medications are
contributing to more HIV positive children surviving into adolescence and adulthood.
This qualitative research has employed a phenomenological approach in an attempt to
understand what makes those children living with HIV psychosocially thrive and what
available support mechanisms make the children successful for their future live from the
perspective of the children. The study involved focus group discussion, interview and
observation in Kolfe Keraniyo sub-city of Addis Ababa for evidence gathering from 26
selected children living with HIV (aged 10 to18) and key informants from the ART
center and an organization working with those children in the sub-city.
It was found out that non-off the participants were disclosed their HIV status to peers,
neighbors, and school communities, but to parent(s), very close relative and health
workers at ART center. Selective friendship, avoidance of people that talk against
individuals who live with HIV and AIDS, selective HIV status disclosure to family
member, and spending most of their time on leisure activities were the positive resources
that children involved in this study used. The need to provide special recognition and
support to children living with HIV/AIDS by service providers and policy makers in
Addis Ababa is underlined
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Social Work