Perceived social support and mental health outcomes among perinatally HIV positive children in Gondar healthcare centers, North-Western Ethiopia

ABSTRACT

Children with chronic illness are found to be at greater risk for psychiatric problems, including depression, anxiety and feelings of isolation. Particularly, HIV positive children in underdeveloped nations are more likely experiencing psychological disorders and live with socially alienated social support systems. In present study, institution-based cross-sectional research design was employed to assess the prevalence of mental health distress among HIV positive children 115(F = 69) in Ethiopia. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select participants. Quantitative data were collected with standardized instruments. Nurse Counsellors and case managers from the children’s ART department participated in sample selection and data collection under the close supervision of a researcher. Descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used to analyze the quantitative data. The key findings of this study revealed that 57.4% HIV positive children reported high level in measures of anxiety and 52.2% had high depression level, while 47.8% had low self-esteem. Children’s ages, parental conditions, and perceived social support shown significant association with participants’ mental health condition. Perceived social support was a powerful set of predictors of children level of anxiety F = 1, 113 24.526, p < .001 and self-esteem F = 1, 113 6.494, p < .0.05. Furthermore, children’s age was a strong predictor of mental health status. The present study finding asserted that HIV positive children require a lifetime of continuous treatment, care and support to ensure their physical and mental development. This study reminds families, caregivers and healthcare institutions of the development of appropriate prevention and intervention program to alleviate stressful life events and improve the psychological well-being of HIV positive children.

KEYWORDS:

• Perinatally HIV positive children
• mental health
• perceived social support
• Health Care Centers

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The author(s) reported there is no funding associated with the work featured in this article.

Notes on contributors

Yibeltal Admasu Lulie

Yibeltal Admasu Lulie is a PhD student at the University of the Western Cape Department of Industrial Psychology in South Africa. Psychology lecturer at Woldia University. Research Interests include occupational health, vulnerable populations, employee well-being, and productivity. Well cultivated professional work experience and quantitative data analysis with SPSS, AMOS, and LISREL software.

Yemataw Wondie

Yemataw Wondie, Ph.D. is Professor of Clinical Psychology at the Department of Psychology, University of Gondar. He is also the Director of the Education Quality Assurance and Audit Directorate of the same University. He served in different administrative and academic positions including but not limited to the Founding Editor-in-Chief of the Ethiopian Renaissance Journal of Social Sciences and Humanities. Prof. Wondie is a member of the Ethiopian Psychologists’ Association, the Ethiopian Public Health Association, the Association of Ethiopians Educated in Germany, and the American Psychologists’ Association. His research interests include psychological trauma and PTSD, psychological distress and quality of life in chronically ill patients, and professional development and quality of education.