Disclosing HIV diagnosis to children in Odi district, South Africa: reasons for disclosure and non-disclosure

Background: The increasing access to antiretroviral therapy (ART) and survival of HIV- infected children has posed challenges to caregivers on disclosing the HIV diagnosis to children. Objectives: The objectives of this study was to determine the reasons of caregivers for the disclosure and non-disclosure of the HIV diagnosis to children on ART and to determine the caregivers' perceptions of children's reaction to disclosure. Method: A cross-sectional study was conducted amongst 149 caregivers of children between 4-17 years who receive ART from a district hospital in South Africa. Descriptive and inferential statistics were used in the analysis of data. Results: The prevalence of disclosure was 40and the mean age of disclosure was 9.3 years. Reasons for disclosure included that the child was not adhering to treatment (n = 59; 39); the child was consistently asking questions about the treatment and nature of the disease (n = 59; 39). Reasons for non-disclosure were that the child was too young (n = 90; 72); the child would tell others about diagnosis (n = 90; 21.1); the child would be socially rejected (n = 90; 18.6); fear of negative consequences for the child (n = 90; 13.3); and caregivers do not know how to tell or approach disclosure (n = 90; 8.9). Conclusion: Caregivers disclosed the diagnosis so that their child would adhere to ART medication; non-disclosing caregivers delayed disclosure because their children were too young to understand the HIV diagnosis. Disclosure of HIV to children should be integrated into regular discussions with caregivers of children in ART settings to improve their knowledge and skills to manage disclosure

Prevalence and Profile of Injuries in Khorixas District Hospital; Namibia

The aims of this study were to identify the demographic characteristics of injury victims and the types of injury cases seen and admitted for treatment in Khorixas District Hospital; Namibia. A descriptive retrospective survey of all injuries attended to and admitted in the hospital from January 2001 to December 2004 was done using document review of patients' medical records. A total of 331 injury cases (6.8 of all admissions) were admitted. The age group 20-29 years was the most commonly affected; with 18 injured. Injury was common among the males (76). The unemployed constituted 36 of all the injuries; followed by children/infants (19). Over two-thirds (68) of the injuries were unintentional. Cuts and stabs were the most common (24) type of injury among the injury cases admitted. Motor vehicle accidents accounted for 21 of all injuries admitted. Over a third (36) of all the injuries were alcohol related. Farmers (11) constitute the most affected group among the employed. Type of injury and occupation were significantly associated (?2=107.879; p 0.001). Mass propagation of anti-violence education is needed to reduce the high rate of intentional injuries among the injuries such as cuts/stabs; assaults; human bite and gunshot injuries