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Abstract
To inform other people or the child himself that he lives vith HIV/AIDS? The dilemma of homecaregivers
M A C Figueiredo1, A C M Bossa2, E E A Silveira2, A C Santos2, M C Salvador2
1University of Sao Paulo, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil; 2University Hospital of Clinics, Ribeirao Preto, Brazil
Background: Homecare of children living with HIV/aids has been facing questions due to the reduction in death rate and the advance in the phases of childdevelopment that this reduction involves. Thus, informing other people or the child himself that he lives with HIV/aids has become a fundamental condition at the basis of the homecare provided to these children.
Methods: Content analysis was applied to 11 group sessions held with 44 home caregivers who accompanied children seen at the Pediatric Outpatient Clinic of the University Hospital of Ribeirao Preto, Brazil.
Results: The caregivers showed ambivalence about revealing to the children that they live with HIV/aids; even though they recognized that this revelation would be a pathway towards help and solidarity, some doubts arose: a) among teachers, at the time when the child reaches school age, feelings of anguish were detected with respect to the fear of denied access to the school and to exclusion imposed by schoolmates and their relatives; b) for the closest relatives, in view of the intensified contact with the child, there was the fear of the various feelings that the information might arouse; c) for the child himself, doubts prevailed about the time and the way to communicate the fact, especially during adolescence, when questions about sexuality begin to emerge.
Conclusions: In general, the revelation that the child lives with HIV/aids is loaded with ambivalence and should refer to home caregivers as the major care providers, opening a space for learning and orientation, looking for resources for the formation of conseling and psychological support structures for homecare. As to the children themselves, one should consider the importance of making the revelation during their relational and interactive process with the family,in a gradual manner along their development.
The XIV International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
WePeF6595
Suggested Citation
" M A C Figueiredo , , et al.
To inform other people or the child himself that he lives vith HIV/AIDS? The dilemma of homecaregivers
.
Poster Exhibition:
The XIV International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
WePeF6595"
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