Disclosure of HIV status of school-age children: an experience from health-care providers and children’s caregivers in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania

 ABSTRACT: This study aims to improve the health of children living with HIV infection by using health facility services after disclosure of HIV status. A qualitative approach with descriptive design was used to describe the disclosure process by health-care providers and parents/caregivers of children under 15 years living with HIV, through a sample of ten respondents: six health-care providers and four parents/caregivers. In-depth interviews were conducted by using an interview-guide to collect the data. The study found that there is a low rate of HIV status disclosure to children at Mbagala tertiary health facility. The common factors hindering disclosure found in this study comprised mental maturity, specific age category and fear of HIV status to be disclosed by children leading to stigma and discrimination; as well as perceptions of insecurity by parents/caregivers. This study revealed barriers related to HIV status disclosure pertaining to children. Thus, effective utilization of guidelines for the disclosure of HIV to children is needed. Further studies with rigorous research methods on barriers towards HIV disclosure to children are recommended.