title: Factors associated with HIV-status disclosure to HIV-infected children receiving care at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre in Moshi, Tanzania.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  With the introduction of antiretroviral drugs HIV-infected children live longer. Disclosure of HIV diagnosis is increasingly an important and inevitable issue. Both healthcare providers and caregivers face challenges of disclosure to children. The objective of the study was to explore factors associated with HIV-status disclosure to HIV-infected children receiving care at Kilimanjaro Christian Medical Centre (KCMC).
  
  
  METHODS
  A cross-sectional hospital-based study was conducted from October 2011 to April 2012. Study population included HIV-infected children aged 5 to 14 years, their caregivers and healthcare providers. Structured questionnaires were used to collect information. Children were asked the reason for hospital visits. Outcome of interest was HIV disclosure status. Data was processed and analysed using SPSS version 16.0. Multivariate logistic regression at 5% margin error was used to account for confounders.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 211 children were enrolled with mean age of 9.7 (SD±2.6; range 5-14) years. Only 47 (22.3%) children knew their HIV-status. The mean age of disclosure was 10.6 years. Most of disclosed children were aged above 10 years (p).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Most of children were not disclosed. Ages, self medication, getting other support and parents/caregivers prior discussion were strong predictors of disclosure status.
authors.affiliation: Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, P.O. BOX 2240, Moshi, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Livin Peter
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Mumburi
authors.affiliation: Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, P.O. BOX 2240, Moshi, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Bernardus Carolus
authors.initials: BC
authors.lastname: Hamel
authors.affiliation: Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, P.O. BOX 2240, Moshi, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Rune Nathanael
authors.initials: RN
authors.lastname: Philemon
authors.affiliation: Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, P.O. BOX 2240, Moshi, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Gibson Nsokolo
authors.initials: GN
authors.lastname: Kapanda
authors.affiliation: Kilimanjaro Christian Medical University College, P.O. BOX 2240, Moshi, Tanzania.
authors.forename: Levina January
authors.initials: LJ
authors.lastname: Msuya
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D017028:Caregivers / Q000523:psychology*; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D015658:HIV Infections / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D010290:Parents / Q000523:psychology*; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013636:Tanzania; D014342:Truth Disclosure; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: HIV disclosure status; Paediatric HIV; caregivers; parents