Browsing by Author "Ikeakanam, Ottilie Tangeni Omuwa"

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    An educational programme to support the caregivers of adolescents living with HIV regarding disclosure in Oshikoto region, Namibia
    (University of Namibia, 2021) Ikeakanam, Ottilie Tangeni Omuwa
    ln 20 l 7 about 1.8 million adolescents, between the ages of 10 and 19, were living with human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) worldwide, acco unting for about 5% of all people living with HIV and about 16% of new adult HIV infections. Adolescents living with HIV (ALHIV) present a significant proportion of new infections of HIV in Namibia as well. The caregivers of ALHJV are faced will the difficult decision of when, and how to inform their children of their HIV status. The purpose of this study was to explore and describe the experiences of caregivers of ALHIV regarding disclosure in Oshikoto region, Namibia. The study included the development of an educational programme to support such caregivers and to facilitate their disclosure practices. This was a qualitative, descriptive study with an explorative and contextual design. The findings were that caregivers of ALHIV experienced barriers to disclose HIV status to ALHIV; they experienced emotional trauma, and experienced mixed fee lings related to adolescents ' diagnosis with HIV. Caregivers experienced resistance from ALHIV to take antiretroviral therapy (ART). However, the study found that non- biological parents are at ease to care for ALHIV, because they are probably less emotionally attached to the child. The findings were used to develop an educational programme to support the caregivers of ALHIV regarding disclosure. The educational programme was implemented and evaluated in the final phase of the study and indicated that the educational programme has a potential to help caregivers of ALHIV regarding disclosure of their status. Recommendations from the findings are that there are needs for a more large scale introduction of healthcare workers to support caregivers regarding disclosure of HIV status to ALHIV for healthy living of adolescents concerned. Additionally, the study recommended further studies on evaluation of the effectiveness of the educational programme and the role of the family characteristics in disclosure practices.