Abstract:
Background: - Discloser of HIV-positive status to HIV-infected children is the most difficult issue for caregivers and healthcare providers. The levels of disclosure vary in developing and developed countries between 17% and 68%.
Objective: - This study aimed to assess the level of HIV/AIDS disclosure status and its associated factors among the children aged group of 5-14 years, South Wollo Zone, North East Ethiopia, 2020.
Method: - Institutional based cross-sectional study was conducted from May to June 2020. A total of 417 caregivers of children aged 5-14 years old were taken from selected health institution that provides ART service from the Zone. Data were collected with a structured questionnaire through face to face interview and chart review to obtain some clinical variable. The data entered into EPI INFO version 7.2.2.6 software and exported to SPSS version23 statistical software for analysis. Descriptive statistics such as simple frequencies, Analytic statistics such as bivariable identifying candidate variable and multivariable logistic -regression analysis based on AOR, with 95%CI and p-value<0.05 were used to identify associated factors. Model fitness was checked using the Hosmer and Lemeshow goodness of fit test.
Result:- The levels of HIV positive status disclosure found to be 50.1%(95% CI: 45.4-54.8) of the study participant. children aged >10 years [AOR = 6.27, (95% CI: 3.35, 11.73)], Psychosocial support [AOR = 6.98 (95% CI: 2.58, 18.94)], place of residence urban [AOR = 6.27 (95% CI: 3.35, 11.73)], health care provide start discussion about disclosure [AOR=4.37(95% CI: 1.88, 10.19)] schooling of child start education [AOR=3.30(95% CI: 1.11, 8.81)] and educational status of caregiver diploma and above [AOR = 0.25 (95% CI: 0.08,0.76)] were found to have a statistically significant association with HIV-positive children disclosure.
Conclusion and recommendation: - The level of disclosure in the study area was better than in other settings has done in Ethiopia. Addressing and scaling up effort on psychosocial support discussion on disclosure issues with caregivers in the study area context will increase the level of disclosure of children's HIV positive status.
Keywords:- Caregiver, HIV status disclosure, HAART