title: [Psychosocial aspects of certain fundamental needs of families with a child with HIV infection].
abstract: The presence of a family of a young child with AIDS, with the exception of a small number of transfusion-infected children, implies almost necessarily the presence of infected adults, usually the mother. The problem in such a situation is not that of a child with a fatal illness but that of an entire family. Our study included a sample of thirty natural caregivers. These were mostly mothers but others responsible for the care of a seropositive child, such as fathers, aunts and grandmothers, were also included. The aim of the project was to describe their perceptions of their own psychosocial needs. Our results reveal that these caregivers are economically disadvantaged. They do not know how to cope with stress and their life situation. They are not ready to confide in others because of the social stigma associated with this illness. Thus they participate unwittingly in the conspiracy of shame which denies them the aid which might help meet their needs. However, they do see the need to learn how to protect themselves and other members of the family against both HIV and other infections and to know the course and the treatments associated with this disease.
authors.affiliation: Faculté des sciences infirmières, Université de Montréal.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Taggart
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Reidy
authors.forename: L
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Asselin
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000451:nursing*; D000704:Analysis of Variance; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D006266:Health Education; D006701:Home Nursing; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D011632:Public Assistance; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires
vernacular_title: Dimensions psychosociales de certains besoins fondamentaux de familles aux prises avec l'infection VIH.