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

R Ostrom Delaney1, J M Serovich, J-Y Lim

  • 1Ohio State University, Ohio, USA.

AIDS Care
|July 9, 2008
PubMed

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.

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