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Growing-up just like everyone else: key components of a successful pediatric HIV disclosure intervention in Namibia
Laura Brandt1, Kristin Beima-Sofie, Ndapewa Hamunime
1aInternational Training and Education Center for Health, Namibia bDepartment of Global Health, University of Washington cMinistry of Health and Social Services, Namibia dDepartment of Medicine, University of Washington eDepartment of Pediatrics, University of Washington fDepartment of Epidemiology, University of Washington.
Insights
A child-friendly cartoon book in Namibia helps caregivers and healthcare workers disclose pediatric HIV status. The book simplifies disclosure by addressing stigma and promoting resilience, improving communication and adherence to medication.
Area of Science:
- Pediatric HIV/AIDS research
- Health communication strategies
- Qualitative research methodologies
Background:
- Pediatric HIV disclosure interventions require accessible tools for caregivers and healthcare workers (HCWs).
- A Namibian cartoon book was developed to guide gradual, structured disclosure for children aged 7-15.
- Understanding key components is crucial for replicating and adapting such interventions.
Discussion:
- The book effectively reduces caregiver resistance and enhances knowledge about HIV and disclosure.
- Delayed introduction of HIV-specific terms mitigates stigma concerns, promoting earlier disclosure initiation.
- The intervention's focus on health, strength, and a positive future resonates with children and caregivers.
Key Insights:
- Caregivers and HCWs found the book valuable for navigating pediatric HIV disclosure.
- The book's narrative, using terms like 'body soldiers,' aids children's understanding and medication adherence.
- Structured discussion cues facilitate communication among HCWs, caregivers, and children.
Outlook:
- The Namibian disclosure book serves as a model for easily implementable pediatric HIV disclosure tools.
- Further evaluation is recommended to assess the utility of this intervention in similar global settings.
- Adapting and disseminating such resources can improve pediatric HIV care and outcomes.
Objectives:
To facilitate replication and adaptation of pediatric HIV disclosure interventions, we identified key components of a child-friendly cartoon book used to guide Namibian caregivers and healthcare workers (HCWs) through a gradual, structured disclosure process.
Design:
Qualitative interviews were conducted with caregivers and HCWs from four high-volume pediatric HIV clinics in Namibia.
Methods:
Semi-structured in-depth interviews with 35 HCWs and 64 caregivers of HIV+ children aged 7-15 were analyzed using constant comparative and modified grounded theory analysis. Major barriers to disclosure were compared to accounts of intervention success, and themes related to key components were identified.
Results:
The disclosure book overcomes barriers to disclosure by reducing caregiver resistance, increasing HIV and disclosure knowledge, and providing a gradual, structured framework for disclosure. The delayed mention of HIV-specific terminology overcomes caregiver fears associated with HIV stigma, thus encouraging earlier uptake of disclosure initiation. Caregivers value the book's focus on staying healthy, keeping the body strong, and having a future 'like other kids', thus capitalizing on evidence of the positive benefits of resilience and hopefulness rather than the negative consequences of HIV. The book's concepts and images resonate with children who readily adopt the language of 'body soldiers' and 'bad guys' in describing how important it is for them to take their medicine. Discussion cues ease communication between HCWs, caregivers, and pediatric patients.
Conclusion:
Given the urgent need for available pediatric HIV disclosure interventions, easily implementable tools like the Namibian disclosure book should be evaluated for utility in similar settings.
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