Abstract:
The aim of the study was to explore and describe the experiences of health care providers
regarding managing children hospitalised with HIV and AIDS in a public hospital in Gauteng
province. A qualitative, explorative, descriptive and contextual design was used to conduct
the study. The population consisted of all health care providers who provided care to children
diagnosed with HIV and AIDS in a public hospital in Gauteng. The participants included
nurses, doctors, physiotherapist, social workers, clinical psychologist and dieticians.
Purposive sampling was used to select the participants who provided care to children
diagnosed with HIV and AIDS for at least a year. Three focus group interviews were used
to collect data. Data was analysed using Tesch's method. An independent co-coder was
also used.
Two themes was developed from the study which was: factors affecting disclosure of
positive HIV status in children and outcomes of non-disclosure of HIV status. It was
recommended that further research be conducted with other public hospitals of different
levels on the same topic. It was also suggested that further research be done to develop
guidelines that can be implemented in the pediatric sector by health care professionals for
the disclosure of HIV status to infected children. The hospital where the study was done is
hoped to take it as a matter of concern and put the suggested recommendations into place.
