Fears About HIV Transmission in Families With an HIV-Infected Parent: A Qualitative Analysis

Abstract

Objective Children of HIV-infected parents may be affected by their parents' disease even if not infected themselves. Due to advances in HIV treatment that have reduced the risk of vertical HIV transmission from mother to child, more HIV-infected adults are having children. Few studies have examined whether families with an HIV-infected parent experience fears about transmission to children and how they address such fears. In this paper, we describe transmission-related fears in families with an HIV-infected parent. Participants and Methods This study uses semi-structured qualitative interviews, conducted in-person from March 2004-March 2005, with 33 HIV-infected parents, 27 minor children 9-17 years old, 19 adult children, and 15 caregivers (adult family members or friends who helped care for the children and/or parents) to investigate their fears about HIV transmission. The parents are a subset from the HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study (HCSUS), a study of people in care for HIV throughout the US. We analyzed the interview transcripts for themes related to transmission fears. Results In many of the families, participants identified ≥1HIV transmission-related fear. Themes included specific fears related to blood contact, bathroom items, kissing/hugging, and food. Families addressed their fears by educating children about modes of HIV transmission and establishing rules or taking precautions to reduce the risk of HIV transmission in the household. HIV-infected parents were also concerned about catching opportunistic infections from a sick child. Conclusions Many of the fears experienced by HIV-infected parents and their children were based on misconceptions about modes of HIV transmission. Pediatricians and others treating these children may be able to offer counseling to allay fears that family members have about household transmission of HIV.

Brief Report: A Qualitative Analysis of Discussions about HIV in Families of Parents with HIV

“…The mean age of adult children was 21.5 years (range18-30 years) and 58% were female. Other characteristics appear in Bogart et al (2008) and Cowgill et al (2008).…”

“…Children were also asked how people get HIV. Youth were screened to ensure that they were aware of their parent's HIV status (see Bogart et al, 2008;Cowgill et al, 2008). All youth indicated that they knew of their parent's HIV infection.…”

A discussion of HIV/AIDS family interventions: implications for family‐focused nursing practice

“…Once it occurs, the disease has an impact on individuals and families by disrupting the family structure and processes. Family sexual behaviours frequently change because of fear of infection and shame (Cowgill et al 2008). For the majority individuals, especially those who live in highly affected areas, the HIV/AIDS diagnosis usually happens through antenatal screening or after a family member has fallen sick (Miller & Murray 1999).…”

“…Once identified as HIV positive, clients are expected to adhere and cope with the use of highly active antiretroviral therapy (also known as HAARTs) (Byakika-Tusiime et al 2009) and in some situations, safety infant feeding to reduce the risk of further HIV infection (Carr & Gramling 2004). Family sexual behaviours frequently change because of fear of infection and shame (Cowgill et al 2008).…”

HIV Prevention and Transmission Myths Among Heterosexually Active Adults in Low-Income Areas of South Florida

“…Notably, in studies with nationally representative samples of U.S. adults conducted between 1997 and 2000, at least 40% of respondents indicated that HIV transmission was possible through sharing a drinking glass, being coughed or sneezed on by an HIV-positive person, and using public toilets [7,8], each marking an increase in such beliefs since the early 1990s [8]. Myths about how HIV can be transmitted or prevented have also been documented among various subpopulations [10][11][12][13][14][15], including low-income persons in select locations [16][17][18][19][20], as well as drug users [21,22] and Haitian adolescents [23] in South Florida.…”