Award WinningAbstract at AIDS 2012

Please check out this award winning abstract in the just ended AIDS 2012 Conference in Washington, USA.

Awarded the International AIDS Society (IAS)/CCABA (Coalition for Children Affected by AIDS) Prize for Excellence in Research Related to the Needs of Children Affected by AIDS at the AIDS 2012 Conference. This prize is awarded to an investigator whose abstract demonstrates excellence in research that is likely to lead to improved services for children affected by HIV and IADS.
Title of abstract: The Psychosocial Impact of HIV on Siblings of HIV infected Children in Botswana

MOAD0305 - Oral Abstract

The psychosocial impact of HIV on the siblings of infected children
Presented by Gabriel M. Anabwani (Botswana).

T. Marukutira1,2, G. Letamo3, V. Mabikwa1,2, G. Karugaba1,2, J. Makhanda1,2, M. Marape1,2,4, R. Seleke1,2, G.M. Anabwani1,2,4

1Botswana-Baylor Children's Clinical Center of Excellence, Gaborone, Botswana, 2Baylor International Pediatric AIDS Initiative, Baylor College of Medicine, Pediatric Retrovirology, Houston, United States, 3University of Botswana, Gaborone, Botswana, 4Texas Children's Hospital, Pediatrics, Houston, United States

Background: There is paucity of published data on ways in which HIV in children receiving highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART) impacts other children living within the same households. We investigated the psychosocial impact of HIV on the siblings of HIV infected children.
Methods: Data were collected using pre-tested interviewer administered questionnaires and focus group discussions. Twelve 12 HIV treatment sites which account for over 90% of children receiving HAART in Botswana participated. HIV affected children were defined as those aged 6-18 years who were living in the same household as documented HIV-infected children. Ethical approval was obtained from the Botswana Ministry of Health and Baylor College of Medicine.
Results: Of the 258 HIV affected children, 251 (97.3%) were attending school; 206 (79.8%) and 52 (20.2%) had been fully or partially disclosed to respectively. 153 (59.3%) were siblings of the HIV-infected children, 79 (30.6%) were cousins and 26 (10%) were related in other ways. 223 (86.4%) had lived together with the HIV-infected children for longer than 5 years. 11 (4.3%) said that living with an HIV-infected child made them feel different because of stigma, having to play caregiver roles, fear of contracting HIV, and feeling sad. 65 (25.4%) faced various problems, including: worrying about the HIV infected child; receiving less attention from caregivers; and experiencing stress due to adherence-related issues, stigma, and family disharmony. They coped by crying, talking to an adult relative, talking to the HIV-infected child or isolating themselves from others. 230 (89%) felt sad or scared/anxious whenever the HIV-infected child was sick. 254 (98.4%) reported playing caregiver roles, such as reminding or giving medications to the infected children.
Conclusions: Although HIV affected children are not the prime targets of paediatric HIV interventions, they face many psychosocial challenges. Programs and policies aimed at ameliorating the impact of HIV should take these findings into account.