The psychosocial factors associated with paediatric and adolescent HIV infection: A Critical Review

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Fitzsimons, Emma (2009) The psychosocial factors associated with paediatric and adolescent HIV infection: A Critical Review. [Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)] (Unpublished)

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Abstract

Background: The Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) is a worldwide epidemic, with millions of children infected globally (UNAIDS and WHO, 2007). The delevopment of Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) has enabled children to live a relatively normal life, surviving into adolescence and beyond (Stille, Berrien and Krause, 2001). There is a lack of knowledge regarding the impact of HIV infection on children (UNAIDS, 2007), therefore, a review of the psychosocial factors associated with the infection and their impact on infected children is required.

Methods: A critical review of the literature was carried out. Databases searched were CINHAL, EMBASE, PsychINFO and Web of Science. Search criteria were: “(child OR adolescent) AND HIV AIDS AND social”. Reference list searching of the relevant returned articles, highlighted further relevant studies. Critical Appraisal Skills Programme (Public Health Resource Unit, 2006) tools were used to provide an indication of the quality of the included articles. A thematic analysis of the included articles was undertaken.

Results: Three main themes were identified from the literature: disclosure of the diagnosis, adherence to medication regimens and mental health problems.

Conclusions: Disclosure is an issue of great importance and is often delayed, with implications for the psychosocial wellbeing of the child. Adherence rates are low, with a variety of factors impacting on the ability of the child to adhere to the medication regimen. Rates of mental illness within this population are high and screening is necessary to prevent and manage psychiatric morbidity. It is essential that nurses are aware of the psychosocial factors associated with paediatric HIV infection.

Item Type: Dissertation (University of Nottingham only)
Depositing User: EP, Services
Date Deposited: 02 Sep 2009 10:58
Last Modified: 24 Jan 2018 01:15
URI: https://eprints.nottingham.ac.uk/id/eprint/22791

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