title: The burden of secrecy among South African adolescents orphaned By HIV and AIDS.
abstract: HIV thrives in an atmosphere of silence and secrecy. The stigma, real or feared, of HIV/AIDS is often a barrier to support and care that adolescent orphans need. The purpose of this article is to describe the burden of silence borne by adolescents orphaned by HIV and AIDS. A phenomenological study using photography and photo-elicitation was done among orphaned adolescents. Fifteen adolescents orphaned by HIV and AIDS, living in an urban area of South Africa, participated in the study. Participants photographed objects, such as graveyards, hearses, and a room where a parent committed suicide. These photographed objects were grouped as symbols of death. Nature and people also were photographed. Photo-elicitation revealed the psychosocial impact that results from the secrecy about parental cause of death. Implications for mental health practitioners are also discussed.
authors.affiliation: University of South Africa, Department of Health Studies, Pretoria, South Africa. tshweg@unisa.ac.za
authors.forename: Gloria
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Thupayagale-Tshweneagae
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Benedict
mesh_terms: D000163:Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D000293:Adolescent; D001293:Attitude to Death; D054540:Child, Orphaned / Q000523:psychology*; D003219:Confidentiality; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D010781:Photography; D057545:Social Stigma; D012944:Social Support; D013019:South Africa; D013405:Suicide / Q000523:psychology; D013561:Symbolism; D014505:Urban Population