Barriers and Challenges in facilitating HIV Testing and Disclosure in Children and Adolescents in Manipur: Mothers' Perceptions

Abstract

The present study documents the experiences of 180 women having children and living with HIV/AIDS in four districts viz., Imphal East, Imphal West, Churachandpur and Ukhrul of Manipur, one of the north-eastern states of India bordering Myanmar. This study examined mothers' perception on the barriers and challenges faced in facilitating HIV testing of children and adolescents and in disclosure of their and their children's HIV status. The study has been conducted eight Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) in the four districts – two in each district, twenty Case Studies were undertaken in the four districts – five in each district and another individual interviews were conducted among eighty (80) infected women having children, in the four districts – twenty (20) in each district using standardized schedule. Key findings of the study have highlighted several factors that prevent parents from taking their children for HIV testing across all age groups. The probability of the child being detected positive creates in them the psychological fear of facing discrimination in society. The stigma and discrimination associated with HIV/AIDS was reported to be the most common barrier. Another key findings from the study have highlighted several issues, particularly in relation to disclosure of HIV status to children aged 9 and above. Some respondent's children know of their and their parents HIV status by overhearing and suspicion – by observing some activities around the time when their parents fell sick that created suspicion in them and the parent's conversations with peer groups/relatives at home and doctors/nurses at hospital, and also with the passages of years and their gaining awareness on about their condition. They knew the purpose of taking ART drugs. Some children were disappointed and some were accepted the situation. There is therefore, an urgent need to encourage parents to disclose their child's HIV status early and to other siblings who are likely to empathize with him/her and help him/her in coping.