Factors Associated with Disclosure of HIV Status among HIV Positive Children in Rwanda

ABSTRACT

As the number of treatment-managed cases of pediatric Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) increases; the issue of disclosure has become increasingly important. In this article; we evaluate factors associated with disclosure in Rwanda among HIV-positive children of 7 to 15 years. A 2008 survey in Rwanda was conducted to determine these factors. Participants in the study included 1;034 children on HAART and in the pre-HAART phase; among them 65 knew their HIV status; and 35 were unaware. The child's age was positively associated with awareness of HIV status. Children with illiterate parents were two times (aOR 2.2; 95 CI 1.4-3.6) more likely to be disclosed than children with high school educated parents. Children who engaged in dialogue with their parents or other family members were 15 times and four times; respectively; (aOR 15.2; 95 CI 9.4- 24.7 and aOR 4.1; 95 CI 2.4-6.9) more likely to be disclosed than those who did not. Findings offer ways for Rwanda to improve its approach to disclosure issues; counseling and psychosocial support for HIV-positive children