Related Experiment Video
Updated: Sep 27, 2026
Assessment and Evaluation of the High Risk Neonate: The NICU Network Neurobehavioral Scale
Published on: August 25, 2014
Psychosocial adjustment in perinatally human immunodeficiency virus infected or exposed children - a Retrospective
Sarah K Zalwango1, Florence N Kizza2,3, Allan K Nkwata2
1Directorate of Public Health and Environment, Kampala Capital City Authority, Kampala, Uganda.
Insights
Perinatal HIV infection and exposure negatively impact psychosocial adjustment in children, leading to lower self-esteem and outlook. Early psychosocial interventions are crucial for improving quality of life in HIV-affected youth.
Area of Science:
- Public Health
- Pediatric Psychology
- Infectious Diseases
Background:
- Perinatal HIV infection and exposure can have long-term effects on child development.
- Psychosocial adjustment (PA) is critical for overall well-being during school-age and adolescence.
- Understanding these impacts is essential for providing comprehensive care to HIV-affected children.
Purpose of the Study:
- To assess the long-term effects of perinatal HIV infection and exposure on psychosocial adjustment in children aged 6 to 18 years.
- To compare psychosocial adjustment indicators between HIV-infected, HIV-exposed uninfected, and HIV-unexposed children.
- To identify specific areas of psychosocial adjustment affected by HIV status.
Main Methods:
- A cohort of 58 perinatally HIV-infected, 56 HIV-exposed uninfected, and 54 unexposed children from Kampala, Uganda, was studied.
- Psychosocial adjustment was assessed using validated instruments measuring depressive symptoms, distress, hopelessness, positive future orientation, and self-esteem.
- Multivariable linear regression analyses were used to determine HIV-status-related differences in PA indicators.
Main Results:
- Perinatally HIV-infected children showed significantly lower positive outlook and self-esteem, and elevated depressive and distress symptoms compared to controls.
- HIV-exposed uninfected children also exhibited lower positive outlook and self-esteem compared to HIV-unexposed children.
- Hopelessness levels were similar across all groups, and distress/depressive symptoms were comparable between HIV-exposed uninfected and HIV-unexposed children.
Conclusions:
- Perinatal HIV infection is linked to increased distress and depressive symptoms, while HIV-affected status (infection/exposure) is associated with reduced self-esteem and positive outlook.
- HIV-affected status did not impact hopelessness, suggesting targeted interventions can improve psychosocial adjustment.
- Integrating psychosocial interventions into HIV care is recommended to enhance the quality of life for HIV-affected children and exposed uninfected children.
Objective:
To determine whether perinatal HIV infection and exposure adversely affected psychosocial adjustment (PA) between 6 and 18 years of life (i.e. during school-age and adolescence).
Methods:
We enrolled 58 perinatally HIV-infected, 56 HIV-exposed uninfected and 54 unexposed controls from Kampala, Uganda. Perinatal HIV status was determined by 18 months of age using a DNA-polymerase chain-reaction test and was confirmed via HIV rapid diagnostic test at psychosocial testing when the children were 6 to 18 years old. Five indicators of PA (depressive symptoms, distress, hopelessness, positive future orientation and esteem) were measured using validated, culturally adapted and translated instruments. Multivariable linear regression analyses estimated HIV-status-related percent differences (β) in PA indicators and corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CIs).
Results:
During school-age and adolescence, positive outlook (β=-3.8, 95% CI: -7.2, -0.1) and self-esteem (β=-4.3, 95% CI: -6.7, -1.8) scores were significantly lower, whereas depressive (β=11.4, 95% CI: 3.3, 19.5) and distress (β=12.3, 95% CI: 5.9, 18.7) symptoms were elevated for perinatally HIV-infected, compared to unexposed controls and exposed uninfected children. Similarly, positive outlook (β=-4.3, 95% CI: -7.3, -1.2) and self-esteem were lower for exposed controls versus HIV-unexposed children. Hopelessness was similar by perinatal HIV status. Likewise, the distress and depressive symptom levels were comparable for HIV-exposed uninfected and HIV-unexposed children.
Conclusions:
Perinatal HIV infection predicted higher distress and depressive symptoms, while HIV-affected status (infection/exposure) predicted low self-esteem and diminished positive outlook in the long term. However, HIV-affected status had no impact on hopelessness, suggesting that psychosocial interventions as an integral component of HIV care for infected children or primary care exposed uninfected children may improve PA and quality of life in these vulnerable groups.
More Related Videos
11:31Rapid Fractionation and Isolation of Whole Blood Components in Samples Obtained from a Community-based Setting
Published on: November 30, 2015
06:39Using a Murine Model of Psychosocial Stress in Pregnancy as a Translationally Relevant Paradigm for Psychiatric Disorders in Mothers and Infants
Published on: June 13, 2021
