Hugs and Kisses

Abstract

Although many parents feared transmitting HIV to their children or catching an infection from their children, few were avoiding the most routine forms of physical affection. They were much more likely to avoid interactions suggestive of fear of contagion through saliva. Clinicians may be able to provide education to HIV-infected parents and reassurance about HIV transmission and the safety of various activities.

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

“…Prior to this research, fears about parental transmission of HIV to children in the home have only been studied from the perspective of the infected parent and not the affected family members, especially the children. 11, 12 …”

“…20 Specifically, the first author initially read through a sample of transcripts to identify the presence of text related to fears about HIV transmission. Coders were given basic operational definitions of these transmission-related fears, derived in part from prior literature, 11 and were instructed to identify all transmission-fears-related text in the narratives. The first author resolved discrepancies between coders.…”

“…Although the likelihood of vertical transmission of HIV from mother to infant has been greatly reduced through antiretroviral treatment in tandem with good prenatal care, 7-10 some HIV-infected parents also worry about transmitting HIV through casual contact. 11, 12 In one study, 36% of parents worried about transmitting HIV to their children through casual contact and avoided behaviors, such as kissing their children on the lips (19%) and sharing utensils with children (15%). 11 Parents also reported that 11% of children worried about contracting HIV from their parent.…”

“…11, 12 In one study, 36% of parents worried about transmitting HIV to their children through casual contact and avoided behaviors, such as kissing their children on the lips (19%) and sharing utensils with children (15%). 11 Parents also reported that 11% of children worried about contracting HIV from their parent. 13 However, these fears are generally unfounded.…”

Children affected by maternal HIV/AIDS: Feasibility and acceptability trial of the Children United with Buddies (CUB) intervention

“…Previous research indicates this is often an issue in families with HIV/AIDS. Schuster, Beckett, Corona, & Zhou (2005) found that Hispanic parents were more likely than African American parents and parents who were white or of other races/ethnicities to fear transmitting HIV to a child; parents interviewed in Spanish were also more likely than parent interviewed in English to have such fears. The authors concluded that the findings regarding Hispanic parents were particularly concerning, given the evidence that Hispanic parents typically engage in high levels of physical affection (Calzada & Eyberg, 2002; Zayas & Solari, 1994).…”