Risk and protective factors for depression symptoms among children affected by HIV/AIDS in rural China: a structural equation modeling analysis

Previous research has revealed a negative impact of orphanhood and HIV-related stigma on the psychological well-being of children affected by HIV/AIDS. Little is known about psychological protective factors that can mitigate the effect of orphanhood and HIV-related stigma on psychological well-being. This research examines the relationships among several risk and protective factors for depression symptoms using structural equation modeling. Cross-sectional data were collected from 755 AIDS orphans and 466 children of HIV-positive parents aged 6-18 years in 2006-2007 in rural central China. Participants reported their experiences of traumatic events, perceived HIV-related stigma, perceived social support, future orientation, trusting relationships with current caregivers, and depression symptoms. We found that the experience of traumatic events and HIV-related stigma had a direct contributory effect on depression among children affected by HIV/AIDS. Trusting relationships together with future orientation and perceived social support mediated the effects of traumatic events and HIV-related stigma on depression. The final model demonstrated a dynamic interplay among future orientation, perceived social support and trusting relationships. Trusting relationships was the most proximate protective factor for depression. Perceived social support and future orientation were positively related to trusting relationships. We conclude that perceived social support, trusting relationships, and future orientation offer multiple levels of protection that can mitigate the effect of traumatic events and HIV-related stigma on depression. Trusting relationships with caregivers provides the most immediate source of psychological support. Future prevention interventions seeking to improve psychological well-being among children affected by HIV/AIDS should attend to these factors.     

Stresses on grandparents and other relatives caring for children affected by HIV/AIDS

This study investigated the needs of relative caregivers of children in the child welfare system whose parents had HIV. Families of children supported by the state child welfare agency were invited to participate in the study; 17 families reported that HIV affected them and 11 families did not identify HIV as an issue. The findings indicate that complex emotional and behavioral issues stressed the HIV-affected kin caregivers; these issues included the children's behavioral problems, HIV-related concerns, adolescent issues, emotional difficulties, and sexual abuse, HIV-affected caregivers had more concern about their health and multiple roles. Nonaffected caregivers were less likely to report severe parenting stress and more likely to report financial stress. HIV-affected caregivers require attention and intervention by social workers, child welfare workers, and case managers.     

Disclosure and Impact of Maternal HIV+ Serostatus on Mothers and Children in Rural Haiti

Mothers living with HIV (MLWHs) in the United States have reported that one of their main challenges is the decision to disclose their HIV serostatus to their children and the potential consequences of their disclosure. Little is known about the experiences of MLWHs regarding disclosing their HIV serostatus to their children and the impact of maternal HIV serostatus disclosure in the island nations of the Caribbean. Study objectives were to identify the factors influencing maternal HIV serostatus disclosure, examine the breadth of maternal HIV serostatus, and understand the impact of disclosure on mothers and the children. Baseline interviews were conducted between 2006 and 2007 with 25 HIV-positive mothers and 26 children ages 10–17 participating in a pilot psychosocial support intervention for HIV-affected youth and their caregivers in Haiti. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded for topical themes by two investigators. Analysis of the interviews yielded several themes relevant to reasons for disclosure, including children’s experience of HIV stigma in the community, social support and encouragement from psychosocial intervention workers. The main themes related to breadth of disclosure were brief disclosure and explicit disclosure with some mothers sharing information about how they learned about their illness diagnosis and their medication. Themes related to impacts of disclosure included emotional reactions of children and mothers, and children’s desire to assist mothers with illness and become involved. These findings suggest the need to provide more psychosocial support to HIV-affected families in the Caribbean region.     

HIV-related stigma and the psychosocial well-being of children orphaned by AIDS: a systematic review

The study aimed to systematically review existing literature reporting on the effects of HIV-related stigma on the psychosocial well-being of children orphaned by AIDS. A systematic review methodology was used to search electronic databases and journals, including Academic Search Complete, AIDS Care, PsychArticles, PubMed and SA ePublications from January 2006 to December 2016. Included studies were required to be peer reviewed, full-text, English medium, embody a quantitative, qualitative or mixed methodology and focus on HIV-related stigma and its impact on the psychosocial well-being of children orphaned by AIDS. Findings were extracted in four steps: (1) identification; (2) screening; (3) eligibility; (4) inclusion. A meta-synthesis was used for the extraction and amalgamation of findings. Thirteen studies were included in the final review and consistently indicated that HIV-related stigma inhibited the psychosocial functioning and well-being of children orphaned by AIDS. This study sheds light on the impact of HIV-related stigma on the psychosocial well-being of children orphaned by AIDS, but has been limited by a culture of non-disclosure of parental HIV infection or death or failing to report on parental cause of death.     

The social context of food insecurity among persons living with HIV/AIDS in rural Uganda

HIV/AIDS and food insecurity are two of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, with each heightening the vulnerability to, and worsening the severity of, the other. Less research has focused on the social determinants of food insecurity in resource-limited settings, including social support and HIV-related stigma. In this study, we analyzed data from a cohort of 456 persons from the Uganda AIDS Rural Treatment Outcomes study, an ongoing prospective cohort of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) initiating HIV antiretroviral therapy in Mbarara, Uganda. Quarterly data were collected by structured interviews. The primary outcome, food insecurity, was measured with the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. Key covariates of interest included social support, internalized HIV-related stigma, HIV-related enacted stigma, and disclosure of HIV serostatus. Severe food insecurity was highly prevalent overall (38%) and more prevalent among women than among men. Social support, HIV disclosure, and internalized HIV-related stigma were associated with food insecurity; these associations persisted after adjusting for household wealth, employment status, and other previously identified correlates of food insecurity. The adverse effects of internalized stigma persisted in a lagged specification, and the beneficial effect of social support further persisted after the inclusion of fixed effects. International organizations have increasingly advocated for addressing food insecurity as part of HIV/AIDS programming to improve morbidity and mortality. This study provides quantitative evidence on social determinants of food insecurity among PLWHA in resource-limited settings and suggests points of intervention. These findings also indicate that structural interventions to improve social support and/or decrease HIV-related stigma may also improve the food security of PLWHA.     

The social context of food insecurity among persons living with HIV/AIDS in rural Uganda

HIV/AIDS and food insecurity are two of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in sub-Saharan Africa, with each heightening the vulnerability to, and worsening the severity of, the other. Less research has focused on the social determinants of food insecurity in resource-limited settings, including social support and HIV-related stigma. In this study, we analyzed data from a cohort of 456 persons from the Uganda AIDS Rural Treatment Outcomes study, an ongoing prospective cohort of persons living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) initiating HIV antiretroviral therapy in Mbarara, Uganda. Quarterly data were collected by structured interviews. The primary outcome, food insecurity, was measured with the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale. Key covariates of interest included social support, internalized HIV-related stigma, HIV-related enacted stigma, and disclosure of HIV serostatus. Severe food insecurity was highly prevalent overall (38%) and more prevalent among women than among men. Social support, HIV disclosure, and internalized HIV-related stigma were associated with food insecurity; these associations persisted after adjusting for household wealth, employment status, and other previously identified correlates of food insecurity. The adverse effects of internalized stigma persisted in a lagged specification, and the beneficial effect of social support further persisted after the inclusion of fixed effects. International organizations have increasingly advocated for addressing food insecurity as part of HIV/AIDS programming to improve morbidity and mortality. This study provides quantitative evidence on social determinants of food insecurity among PLWHA in resource-limited settings and suggests points of intervention. These findings also indicate that structural interventions to improve social support and/or decrease HIV-related stigma may also improve the food security of PLWHA.     

Precursive depression among HIV infected AIDS caregivers over time

This study examines depression among HIV infected AIDS caregivers, documenting and explaining variation in health within a stress proliferation framework. Longitudinal data for 376 HIV- and HIV+ caregiving men who self-identify as gay are analyzed to establish how changes in depression are influenced by care-related stressors and by being a member of the gay, HIV-affected community. This research identifies the mechanisms by which the caregiver stress process unfolds distinctively among caregivers with AIDS-related health problems, in comparison to HIV- caregivers. Three waves of data are analyzed using longitudinal multiple regression models. Among HIV infected caregivers, mental health is affected by deteriorating health, perceptions of AIDS alienation/stigma, internalized homophobia, role overload, and financial worry. For both groups, depression is a function of social constriction and AIDS-related bereavement. The precursive nature of caregiving among these HIV infected men may magnify the stress of being in poor health, gay, and stigmatized.     

A qualitative exploration of psychosocial challenges of perinatally HIV-infected adolescents and families in Bangkok,Thailand

Thailand has the highest HIV prevalence in Asia, with 9600 HIV+ adolescents and thousands of additional younger HIV+ children. Studies from other settings suggest perinatally HIV-infected (PHIV+) adolescents are at high risk for mental health problems and engagement in risk behaviors that threaten individual and public health. Yet, few studies exist in Thailand, and few evidence-based psychosocial interventions have been developed for and studied in this population, despite great need. The current study qualitatively explored psychosocial issues among Thai PHIV+ adolescents to inform development or adaptation of interventions. Thai and US-based researchers and clinicians conducted two focus group discussions with PHIV+ adolescents aged 12–16 and their adult caregivers, and six in-depth key informant interviews with health/social work providers at a large clinic for PHIV+ youth in Bangkok, Thailand. Data were analyzed thematically using framework analysis. Multiple challenges for PHIV+ youth and caregivers were identified. Adherence to antiretroviral treatment was a significant challenge attributed to lack of adult support, side effects, feeling too well to take medicines and avoiding acknowledging sickness. Poor child–caregiver communication and conflict was a key concern, explained in part by cultural expectation of obedience and generation gaps. Concerns about societal stigma and discrimination emerged strongly and influenced delay or avoidance of disclosing HIV status to children and others. Respondents identified positive approaches to addressing these issues and highlighted the need for interventions to improve child–caregiver communication and generate peer and community support for PHIV+ youth. Thai PHIV+ adolescents and families experience significant psychosocial challenges, similar to those seen in other contexts. Cultural adaptation of an existing evidence-based clinic-based family group intervention is recommended to rapidly address these needs.     

观点采择干预对青少年学生艾滋病污名的影响

目的了解青少年学生艾滋病污名的现状并探讨观点采择干预对其的影响。方法采用整群抽样法抽取某中学初中一年级5个班的学生,按学号单双分为对照组和干预组。被试对象均采用艾滋病污名问卷进行前测,观点采择干预后,均进行艾滋病污名后测,同时采用基本共情量表测共情水平。比较两组艾滋病污名差异,分析共情在观点采择对艾滋病污名影响中的中介作用。结果完成本研究被试对象为146名,其中对照组72名,干预组74名,艾滋病污名前测对照组及干预组艾滋病污名总分分别为(43. 75±8. 95)分和(44. 40±10. 41)分,两组间差异无统计学意义(P>0. 05)。艾滋病污名后测对照组及干预组艾滋病污名总分分别为(42. 65±11. 40)分和(37. 82±9. 94)分,两组差异有统计学意义(P<0. 05),共情中介效应的系数c(c=-0. 210)、系数a(a=0. 181)、系数b(b=-0. 163)和系数c’(c’=-0. 181)差异均有统计学意义(P<0. 05),中介效应占总效应的比值为14. 05%,共情在观点采择与艾滋病污名关系间存在部分中介作用。结论青少年学生普遍存在艾滋病污名,观点采择干预能有效降低其艾滋病污名,共情在观点采择对艾滋病污名的影响中发挥部分中介作用。     

Prevalence and predictors of HIV-related stigma among institutional- and community-based caregivers of orphans and vulnerable children living in five less-wealthy countries

Background  

In the face of the HIV/AIDS epidemic that has contributed to the dramatic increase in orphans and abandoned children (OAC) worldwide, caregiver attitudes about HIV, and HIV-related stigma, are two attributes that may affect caregiving. Little research has considered the relationship between caregiver attributes and caregiver-reported HIV-related stigma. In light of the paucity of this literature, this paper will describe HIV-related stigma among caregivers of OAC in five less wealthy nations.     

Interventions to improve psychosocial well-being for children affected by HIV and AIDS: a systematic review

In addition to its contribution to child mortality, HIV/AIDS has a substantial impact on the psychosocial well-being of children. We conducted a systematic review to identify studies that assess the effectiveness of interventions developed to improve the psychosocial well-being of children affected by HIV/AIDS, published between January 2008 and February 2016. Studies were eligible for the review if they included children under the age of 18 years, who had lost a parent to HIV/AIDS, were living with a parent with HIV/AIDS, or were vulnerable because of other factors and living in communities of high HIV/AIDS prevalence. Studies documented any intervention to improve the psychosocial well-being of children including psychological, psychosocial, medical, and social interventions, with psychological and/or social factors as outcomes. We identified 17 interventions to improve the psychosocial well-being of children affected by HIV/AIDS. Of these, 16 studies took place in 8 different low- and middle-income countries (LMIC), and 6 in Southern and Eastern Africa. Of the total, 15 showed some significant benefits of the intervention, while 2 showed no difference to psychosocial outcomes. The content of interventions, dosage and length of follow-up varied substantially between studies. There were few studies on children under 7 years and several focused mostly on girls. Due to the variability between interventions, it was not possible to make consolidated recommendations for programming based on the results of this review. However, we note that efforts to improve evaluation of interventions to improve the psychosocial well-being of children affected by HIV/AIDS have resulted in a number of new studies which met the inclusion criteria for the review. Most were research projects and not evaluations of existing services. We call for increased partnerships between policymakers, practitioners, and researchers in order to design evaluation studies that can feed into the growing evidence base.     

"We, the AIDS people. . .": how antiretroviral therapy enables Zimbabweans living with HIV/AIDS to cope with stigma

We studied the impact of antiretroviral treatment availability on HIV/AIDS stigma through interviews with 118 antiretroviral treatment users, HIV/AIDS caregivers, and nurses in Zimbabwe. Treatment enables positive social and economic participation through which users can begin to reconstruct their shattered sense of social value. However, stigma remains strong, and antiretroviral treatment users remain mired in conflictual symbolic relationships between the HIV/AIDS people and the untested. To date, the restoration of users' own sense of self-worth through treatment has not reduced fear and sexual embarrassment in framing community responses to people living with HIV/AIDS. Much remains to be learned about the complex interaction of economic and psychosocial dimensions of poverty, treatment availability, and conservative sexual moralities in driving HIV/AIDS stigma in specific settings.     

Children affected by HIV

During the next 10 years, more than 40 million children will lose either one or both parents from AIDS, mostly in sub-Saharan Africa. In countries with a high rate of HIV infection, more than 33% of children will be orphaned and at risk of being moved from one household to another, or left to live alone in child-headed households. Many children are first affected by HIV when their parents develop HIV-related illnesses and become too sick to work or take their children for health care services, such as immunization and growth monitoring. In caring for their younger siblings, older children miss school. Children in households affected by HIV are often at considerable risk of poverty and malnutrition. Health workers and community-based workers can help protect the health of children affected by HIV by encouraging the establishment of community-based orphan support programs, recognizing HIV-affected families in greatest need and children at risk, and providing at-risk orphans with clothing, housing, food, and school fees.     

Parent- and Youth-Reported Illness Uncertainty: Associations With Distress and Psychosocial Functioning Among Recipients of Liver and Kidney Transplantations

The purpose of this study is to examine the associations between parent- and child-reported illness uncertainty and psychosocial functioning among solid organ transplant recipients. Youths who received liver or kidney transplantations and their caregivers completed measures of illness uncertainty, youth depressive symptoms, youth anxiety, and youth psychosocial functioning. Regression analyses indicated that youth-reported uncertainty was associated with both youth-reported depressive symptoms and anxiety and with parent-reported adaptive functioning and behavioral functioning. Parent-reported uncertainty was associated with parent-reported overall behavioral functioning, adaptive functioning, and internalizing problems. Results extend previous findings regarding illness uncertainty, and suggest that educational interventions to reduce uncertainty might be of benefit to families.     

Children and adolescents living with HIV positive parents: Emotional and behavioural problems

Abstract

This study explores the emotional and behavioural problems in children living with an HIV-positive parent, and identifies specific high-risk and protective factors for their psychological well-being. Data were collected on 718 parents living with HIV and on 1136 HIV-affected children in a European multi-centre study (EUROSUPPORT IV) adopting a cross-sectional and retrospective study design. Sociodemographic characteristics, HIV-related stressors, variables relating to caregiving and outcome variables relating to family functioning and children's symptoms were assessed using a self-reported questionnaire. Results indicated a low level of parental HIV disclosure to children, and an elevated level of behavioural symptoms in HIV-affected children as reported by parents. Children had experienced a high degree of distressing life events. In multivariate analysis, perceived healthy family functioning emerged as protective for a low degree of behavioural symptoms in children and adolescents. The results call for a shift towards family-centred service delivery in HIV care and counselling. Service implications are discussed in the light of increasing numbers of women and couples living with HIV who become parents and need tailored support in facing the challenges of being a caregiver living with HIV.     

“Why are you pregnant? What were you thinking?”: How women navigate experiences of HIV-related stigma in medical settings during pregnancy and birth

Having children is a growing reality for women living with HIV in Canada. It is imperative to understand and respond to women’s unique experiences and psychosocial challenges during pregnancy and as mothers including HIV-related stigma. This qualitative study used a narrative methodological approach to understand women’s experiences of HIV-related stigma as they navigate health services in pregnancy (n = 66) and early postpartum (n = 64). Narratives of women living with HIV expose the spaces where stigmatizing practices emerge as women seek perinatal care and support, as well as highlight the relationship between HIV-related stigma and disclosure, and the impact this has on women’s pregnancy and birthing experiences.     

社会支持和羞辱歧视与HIV/AIDS抗病毒治疗的关联分析

目的 探讨社会支持和艾滋病相关羞辱歧视对艾滋病病毒感染者和艾滋病病人(HIV/AIDS)抗病毒治疗(antiretroviral therapy, ART)的影响,为进一步提高ART覆盖率提供指导依据。方法 对山东省现存活HIV/AIDS进行问卷调查,了解其社会人口学特征、艾滋病及ART相关知识知晓情况、社会支持及艾滋病相关羞辱与歧视情况,运用逐步logistic回归模型分析上述因素与HIV/AIDS接受ART间的关系。结果 本研究共调查1 294例HIV/AIDS,其中接受ART的有1 047人,治疗率为80.9%。Logistic回归结果显示,主观支持分数高的HIV/AIDS比分数低者更愿意接受ART (OR=1.06, 95%CI:1.03～1.08);与不知晓ART副作用的HIV/AIDS相比,知晓者更愿意接受ART (OR=1.49, 95%CI:1.12～2.00);与家庭歧视分数高的HIV/AIDS相比,分数低者更愿意接受ART (OR=0.98, 95%CI:0.96～0.99);与未婚HIV/AIDS相比,已婚有配偶(OR=1.49, 95%CI:1.09～2.04)...     

'I felt I have grown up as an adult': caregiving experience of children affected by HIV/AIDS in China

Background The growing global epidemic of HIV/AIDS has a significant impact on the lives of both people living with HIV/AIDS and their family members including children. Children of parents with HIV/AIDS may experience an increased responsibility of caregiving in family. However, limited data are available regarding the caregiving experience and its impact on psychosocial well‐being among these children. This study was designed to address these issues by using qualitative data collected from children affected by HIV/AIDS in China. Methods The qualitative data were collected in 2006 in rural central China, where many residents were infected with HIV/AIDS through unhygienic blood collection procedures. In‐depth individual interviews were conducted by trained interviewers with 47 children between 8 and 17 years of age who had lost one or both parents to AIDS. Results Findings of this study suggest that many children affected by AIDS had experienced increased responsibilities in housework and caregiving for family members. Such caregiving included caring for self and younger siblings, caring for parents with illness and caring for elderly grandparents. Positive impacts from children's participation in family caregiving included personal growth and emotional maturity. Negative consequences included physical fatigue, psychological fear and anxiety and suboptimal schooling (dropping out from school, repeated absence from school and unable to concentrate in class). Conclusion While the increased caregiving responsibilities among children reflected some cultural beliefs and had some positive effect on personal growth, the caregiving experience generally negatively effected the children's physical and mental health and schooling. The findings in the current study suggest that community‐based caregiving support is necessary in areas with high prevalence of HIV and limited resources, especially for the families lacking adult caregivers. In addition, social and psychological support should be made available for children participating in family caregiving.     

“They look at you like you’re contaminated”: how HIV-related stigma shapes access to care for incarcerated women living with HIV in a Canadian setting

ObjectivesGiven the gender disparities in HIV outcomes for women living with HIV (WLWH) who experience incarceration, and the impact of HIV-related stigma on HIV care, this qualitative study investigated how HIV-related stigma within prison settings shapes HIV care for WLWH.MethodsDrawing from SHAWNA (Sexual Health and HIV/AIDS: Women’s Longitudinal Needs Assessment), a community-based research project with cisgender and transgender WLWH in Metro Vancouver, peer and community interviewers conducted 19 qualitative interviews (May 2017–February 2018) with recently incarcerated WLWH focused on factors that shape incarceration trajectories. Drawing on socio-ecological frameworks and using participatory analysis, this analysis sought to characterize how HIV-related stigma shapes experiences and access to care for incarcerated WLWH.ResultsParticipants’ responses focused predominately on experiences in provincial correctional facilities and the ways through which HIV-related stigma within correctional settings was linked to access to HIV care. Experiences of HIV-related stigma within prisons led to isolation and discrimination for WLWH which was reinforced through institutional processes, compromised privacy, and uncertainty about confidentiality. Experiences of HIV-related stigma informed decisions for some participants to withhold HIV status from healthcare staff, compromising access to HIV treatment during incarceration.ConclusionAmid ongoing efforts to improve healthcare delivery within Canadian correctional facilities, these findings have important implications for the provision of HIV care for incarcerated WLWH. Culturally safe, trauma-informed programming focused on reducing HIV-related stigma, improved communication regarding medical privacy, and interventions to change processes that compromise privacy is critical to improve healthcare access in correctional facilities.