Qualitative Study on the Voices of Adolescents Living with Perinatally Acquired HIV in Selected Clinics in the Limpopo Province of South Africa

The disclosure of HIV status among adolescents living with perinatally acquired HIV (APHIV) has become one of the core challenges in the management of APHIV. Disclosure is a challenge that undermines positive advances and achievements in HIV management. There is limited literature on the voices of A...

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Main Authors: Rirhandzu Austice Mabasa, Livhuwani Muthelo, Linda Skaal, Tebogo Maria Mothiba
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: MDPI AG 2023-12-01
Series:Children
Subjects:
Online Access:https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/1/28
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author Rirhandzu Austice Mabasa
Livhuwani Muthelo
Linda Skaal
Tebogo Maria Mothiba
author_facet Rirhandzu Austice Mabasa
Livhuwani Muthelo
Linda Skaal
Tebogo Maria Mothiba
author_sort Rirhandzu Austice Mabasa
collection DOAJ
description The disclosure of HIV status among adolescents living with perinatally acquired HIV (APHIV) has become one of the core challenges in the management of APHIV. Disclosure is a challenge that undermines positive advances and achievements in HIV management. There is limited literature on the voices of APHIV on disclosure of their status. This study aims to explore the current disclosure process and how it affects APHIV. A qualitative exploratory design was employed to conduct one-on-one in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. Purposive sampling was used to sample 21 APHIV in 16 selected health facilities in the Vhembe district of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Data were analyzed using Tesch’s qualitative data method. The findings of this study reflect the gaps in the current disclosure process and guidelines while acknowledging the importance of disclosure to APHIV. A notable finding in this study is that most APHIV, especially those in early adolescence, did not want to know their HIV status due to the stigma attached to an HIV-positive diagnosis. This study suggests that proper training and support of parents and/or guardians in the disclosure process are needed, as they are the primary caregivers of APHIV. The disclosure of HIV status must be a comprehensive part of the management and care of HIV for APHIV. Furthermore, dedicated support programs should be developed and implemented to improve their lives post-disclosure.
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spelling doaj.art-a2b9090c1d934880ae4253b56334d7462024-01-26T15:46:42ZengMDPI AGChildren2227-90672023-12-011112810.3390/children11010028Qualitative Study on the Voices of Adolescents Living with Perinatally Acquired HIV in Selected Clinics in the Limpopo Province of South AfricaRirhandzu Austice Mabasa0Livhuwani Muthelo1Linda Skaal2Tebogo Maria Mothiba3Department of Optometry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Limpopo, Polokwane 0700, South AfricaDepartment of Nursing Science, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Limpopo, Polokwane 0700, South AfricaDepartment of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Sefako Makgato University, Ga-Rankuwa 0208, South AfricaDepartment of Optometry, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Limpopo, Polokwane 0700, South AfricaThe disclosure of HIV status among adolescents living with perinatally acquired HIV (APHIV) has become one of the core challenges in the management of APHIV. Disclosure is a challenge that undermines positive advances and achievements in HIV management. There is limited literature on the voices of APHIV on disclosure of their status. This study aims to explore the current disclosure process and how it affects APHIV. A qualitative exploratory design was employed to conduct one-on-one in-depth interviews using a semi-structured interview guide. Purposive sampling was used to sample 21 APHIV in 16 selected health facilities in the Vhembe district of Limpopo Province, South Africa. Data were analyzed using Tesch’s qualitative data method. The findings of this study reflect the gaps in the current disclosure process and guidelines while acknowledging the importance of disclosure to APHIV. A notable finding in this study is that most APHIV, especially those in early adolescence, did not want to know their HIV status due to the stigma attached to an HIV-positive diagnosis. This study suggests that proper training and support of parents and/or guardians in the disclosure process are needed, as they are the primary caregivers of APHIV. The disclosure of HIV status must be a comprehensive part of the management and care of HIV for APHIV. Furthermore, dedicated support programs should be developed and implemented to improve their lives post-disclosure.https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/1/28disclosureperinatally acquired HIVadolescent voicesrural Vhembe district
spellingShingle Rirhandzu Austice Mabasa
Livhuwani Muthelo
Linda Skaal
Tebogo Maria Mothiba
Qualitative Study on the Voices of Adolescents Living with Perinatally Acquired HIV in Selected Clinics in the Limpopo Province of South Africa
Children
disclosure
perinatally acquired HIV
adolescent voices
rural Vhembe district
title Qualitative Study on the Voices of Adolescents Living with Perinatally Acquired HIV in Selected Clinics in the Limpopo Province of South Africa
title_full Qualitative Study on the Voices of Adolescents Living with Perinatally Acquired HIV in Selected Clinics in the Limpopo Province of South Africa
title_fullStr Qualitative Study on the Voices of Adolescents Living with Perinatally Acquired HIV in Selected Clinics in the Limpopo Province of South Africa
title_full_unstemmed Qualitative Study on the Voices of Adolescents Living with Perinatally Acquired HIV in Selected Clinics in the Limpopo Province of South Africa
title_short Qualitative Study on the Voices of Adolescents Living with Perinatally Acquired HIV in Selected Clinics in the Limpopo Province of South Africa
title_sort qualitative study on the voices of adolescents living with perinatally acquired hiv in selected clinics in the limpopo province of south africa
topic disclosure
perinatally acquired HIV
adolescent voices
rural Vhembe district
url https://www.mdpi.com/2227-9067/11/1/28
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