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Disclosure as a Positive Resource: The Lived Experiences of HIV-Positive Adolescents in Botswana

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Children and Young People Living with HIV/AIDS

Part of the book series: Cross-Cultural Research in Health, Illness and Well-Being ((CCRHIWB))

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Abstract

Few children and adolescents receive disclosure in Sub-Saharan Africa, in spite of evidence suggesting that disclosure of HIV status to children and adolescents has a positive impact on their lives, compared to those who do not know their status. Most studies focus on medical outcomes of disclosure, and improved adherence to antiretroviral treatment is one of the positive outcomes related to disclosure. Very few studies have explored the experiences of adolescents who have received disclosure. This chapter discusses the attitudes to disclosure of HIV-positive adolescents and their lived experiences before and after disclosure, especially regarding: understanding their life situation, and accessing positive resources that enables the adolescents to live healthily with HIV. Data were collected through individual and group interviews, as well as participant observations, during a 3 month period in Botswana in 2011. Sixteen adolescents, age 12–20 years old, and three health care staff working with the children, were enrolled in the study. The data were analyzed using thematic network analysis, and the emerging themes focused on disclosure as a positive resource, reinforcing already existing assets in their environment. Disclosure was a significant resource to the adolescents in order to understand their life situation. Adolescents saw it as important to know their status, before disclosure things did not make sense, and many of the adolescents expressed that they had problems with adherence to their treatment regimens before being disclosed to. Furthermore, disclosure was found to be a positive resource which enabled the adolescents to live healthily with the disease. After disclosure the adolescents were able to take control over their health, adhering to treatment regimen became meaningful, and they actively accessed social support. Findings show that disclosure is a positive resource, which contributes to the adolescents experiencing more control over their health.

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Notes

  1. 1.

    A CD4 test is usually used to determine when a person should start ART. It measures the number of T-helper cells, which are an essential part of the immune system. HIV damages and destroys T-helper cells, resulting in a weakened immune system (WHO 2012). WHO recommends starting ART when a person with HIV has a CD4 count lower than 350 (WHO 2009).

  2. 2.

    All names are pseudonyms.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Health Promotion and Development, University of Bergen, 7807, 5020, Bergen, Norway

    Vivian Midtbø & Marguerite Daniel

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  1. Vivian Midtbø
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  2. Marguerite Daniel
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Correspondence to Vivian Midtbø .

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Editors and Affiliations

  1. School of Science and Health, Western Sydney University, Penrith, New South Wales, Australia

    Pranee Liamputtong

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Midtbø, V., Daniel, M. (2016). Disclosure as a Positive Resource: The Lived Experiences of HIV-Positive Adolescents in Botswana. In: Liamputtong, P. (eds) Children and Young People Living with HIV/AIDS. Cross-Cultural Research in Health, Illness and Well-Being. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29936-5_17

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-29936-5_17

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