Reasons for and against maternal HIV disclosure to children and perceived child reaction

Abstract

This study explores the decision making of 66 HIV-positive women regarding disclosing their serostatus to their children and the child's perceived immediate and long-term reactions. Data came from a larger investigation of the disclosure process of HIV-infected women. Children included 27 boys and 39 girls between the ages 5 and 18 years. Forty-one children knew of their mother's diagnosis and 32 were disclosed to by their mother. Results suggest that women are interested in taking a leading role in disclosing to their children and make the decision based on the child's ability to handle the information and not be psychologically harmed.

Keywords:

• Children
• disclosure
• HIV
• maternal
• reactions

Acknowledgements

This work was funded by a grant from the National Institutes of Mental Health (R01MH62293) to the second author. We thank the women who participated in this study.