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Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues

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HIV Infection in Children and Adolescents

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Abstract

The increased vulnerability of children infected with HIV necessitates a holistic approach to their management. This includes psychosocial support. Individualistic western liberal perspectives differ significantly from African cultures where communalism is the structure of traditional African society, resulting in challenges in autonomous decision-making. Disclosure to the child presents taxing ethical dilemmas. Social harms of stigma, discrimination and ostracisation remain a reality. Health care practitioners are obliged to report abuse when uncovered during the course of their management. The Constitution mandates that the child’s best interests are of paramount importance.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Steve Biko Centre for Bioethics, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Witwatersrand, Johannesburg, South Africa

    Ames Dhai

  2. Department of Jurisprudence, School of Law, University of South Africa (UNISA), Pretoria, South Africa

    Safia Mahomed

Authors
  1. Ames Dhai
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  2. Safia Mahomed
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Correspondence to Ames Dhai .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Paediatrics and Child Health, University of KwaZulu-Natal, Durban, KwaZulu-Natal, South Africa

    Raziya Bobat

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Dhai, A., Mahomed, S. (2020). Ethical, Legal, and Social Issues. In: Bobat, R. (eds) HIV Infection in Children and Adolescents. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-030-35433-6_23

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