A report by the World Health Organization (WHO) indicates that more than 33 million people and 4.4 million children are infected with HIV/AIDS worldwide (Rivera et al. 2020). As high as 90% of these infected persons are said to be in developing countries, which has resulted in the death of upto 3.2 million children. Rivera et al. (2020) further estimates that, of the 4.4 million children infected with HIV/ AIDS, 2.5 million are children of younger ages (below 15), of which 1.9 million are in sub-Sahara Africa. This shows that more than half of all infected young children are found in African countries such as Ghana.Another estimate by Owusu (2020) reveals that as much as 30,000 children between the ages of 10-14 years were reported to be infected with HIV in Ghana and the number of deaths of children within the same age range was 2441 in the year 2018. The Ghana AIDS Commission (2019) reports an HIV/AIDS prevalence of 0.72% among younger people (15-19 years) within the Upper West Region of Ghana (Ghana AIDS Commission, 2019).
The burden faced by informal caregivers in caring for a child diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, and placed on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is high due to the nature of the child’s dependence on the caregiver for fulfilling the child’s necessary needs. Evidence linking knowledge to the likelihood of performing the desired action exists. It is therefore crucial to explore caregivers’ knowledge of ART, and how that influences their children’s adherence to ART. The sought to explore the knowledge of informal caregivers on adherence to ART among their children with HIV/AIDS who received care at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Jirapa, Ghana. A qualitative phenomenology design was used. Data were collected from 13 purposively chosen caregivers of children with HIV/AIDS on ART at a hospital, using a semi-structured in-depth interview guide. A reflexive thematic analysis approach was used for data analysis. Informal caregivers were knowledgeable in the regularity of visits to the HIV Testing and Counselling (HTC) Centre for ARTs, identifying ARTs, ARTs administration, ARTs side effects identification, HIV transmission, and the nutritional restrictions for ARTs. A few, however, had misconceptions about HIV transmission. Informal caregivers still need education in the area of HIV transmission. The findings will guide nurses to focus on areas of education for informal caregivers to improve upon their knowledge of ART and to ensure increased adherence among children living with HIV/AIDS under their care.
The burden faced by informal caregivers in caring for a child diagnosed with HIV/AIDS, and placed on Antiretroviral Therapy (ART) is high due to the nature of the child’s dependence on the caregiver for fulfilling the child’s necessary needs. Evidence linking knowledge to the likelihood of performing the desired action exists. It is therefore crucial to explore caregivers’ knowledge of ART, and how that influences their children’s adherence to ART. The sought to explore the knowledge of informal caregivers on adherence to ART among their children with HIV/AIDS who received care at St. Joseph’s Hospital, Jirapa, Ghana. A qualitative phenomenology design was used. Data were collected from 13 purposively chosen caregivers of children with HIV/AIDS on ART at a hospital, using a semi-structured in-depth interview guide. A reflexive thematic analysis approach was used for data analysis. Informal caregivers were knowledgeable in the regularity of visits to the HIV Testing and Counselling (HTC) Centre for ARTs, identifying ARTs, ARTs administration, ARTs side effects identification, HIV transmission, and the nutritional restrictions for ARTs. A few, however, had misconceptions about HIV transmission. Informal caregivers still need education in the area of HIV transmission. The findings will guide nurses to focus on areas of education for informal caregivers to improve upon their knowledge of ART and to ensure increased adherence among children living with HIV/AIDS under their care.
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