Abstract
BackgroundApproximately 84,000 children under the age of 15 years are living with HIV in Malawi. Although the survival rate of children living with HIV in Malawi has improved due to the increased availability of antiretroviral medications, these children continue to experience numerous challenges negatively impacting on their mental health. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of, and factors associated with, emotional and behavioural difficulties in children aged between 6 and 12 years living with HIV in Malawi.MethodsA random sample of 429 primary caregivers of children living with HIV drawn from the three main administrative regions of Malawi was recruited in a cross-sectional study. They completed a questionnaire about family socio-demographic characteristics, HIV disclosure, and child demographic and clinical characteristics, as well as the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, Life Stress Scale, Support Function Scale, and Impact on Family Scale which were pre-tested and translated into the local Chichewa language. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression.FindingsUsing the newer band categorisations of the Strengths and Difficulties Questionnaire, parent version, 31% of primary caregivers reported that their child had a slightly raised to very high level of total difficulties. Factors that were associated with difficulties were: primary caregivers’ young age (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 3.6; 95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.4–9.5); low level of education (aOR 2.6; 95% CI: 1.2–5.7); lack of employment (aOR 2.7; 95% CI: 1.2–5.9); the report of a substantial impact of the child’s illness on the family (3.1; 95% CI: 1.5–6.5); and a low level of family functional support (aOR 2.0; 95% CI: 1.1–4.1). Neither non-disclosure of HIV status nor any of the child demographic or clinical factors were significant in multivariate analysis (p > .0.05).ConclusionClose to one-third of children living with HIV in this study had high scores indicative of emotional and behavioural difficulties. Emotional and behavioural difficulties in children living with HIV were associated with family demographic and psychosocial factors, but not HIV disclosure. Effective policies and programs that promote the mental wellbeing of children living with HIV in Malawi are indicated.
Highlights
UNAIDS reports that there are 1.8 million children under the age of 15 years living with HIV globally; 1.5 million of these live in Sub-Sahara African countries [1]
Emotional and behavioural difficulties in children living with HIV were associated with family demographic and psychosocial factors, but not HIV disclosure
And child characteristics A total of 432 primary caregivers from the three administrative regions of Malawi were approached to participate in the study
Summary
UNAIDS reports that there are 1.8 million children under the age of 15 years living with HIV globally; 1.5 million of these live in Sub-Sahara African countries [1]. The survival rate of children living with HIV in Malawi has increased due to the increased availability of antiretroviral medications, these children continue to experience numerous challenges that negatively impact on their physical and mental health [3]. These challenges include: high levels of poverty [4, 5]; stigma, discrimination and bullying [6, 7]; the loss of one or both parents [8,9,10]; food insecurity and poor general physical functioning [11]; and community violence, and harsh physical discipline [12, 13]. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of, and factors associated with, emotional and behavioural difficulties in children aged between 6 and 12 years living with HIV in Malawi
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
