Parental concerns about disclosure of a child's HIV/AIDS status in Singapore

A qualitative study was conducted to examine parental concerns over the issue of disclosure with those whose children were diagnosed with HIV/AIDS. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with seven parents and the main issues that arose from the interviews were (a) parents' explanation of their children's medical condition; (b) factors that influence disclosure; (c) factors that hinder disclosure; and (d) parents' perception on the appropriate time for disclosure. Parents viewed disclosure as a single event, as opposed to an ongoing process where varying levels of information on the illness was to be provided in accordance to the children's individual cognitive and emotional development.