Factors Affecting the Caregivers of HIV Sero-Positive Children Between 0 - 12 Years:

Abstract

The main objective of the study was to establish the factors affecting the caregivers of HIV sero positive children in Itojo hospital and the specific objectives were to explore the level of knowledge caregivers have about HIV sero positive children, to find out the service delivery factors that affect the caregivers of HIV sero positive children and to assess the socio-economic factors that affect the caregivers of HIV sero positive children in Itojo hospital. The study was carried out using a cross-sectional descriptive study design. This design used only quantitative methods of data collection while in the field and the study population included only caretakers of HIV sero positive children at Itojo hospital in ART clinic at Itojo hospital by the time of the study and it’s a where a sample of 100 respondents were selected from using simple random sampling technique. The data collections tools were questionnaires which were used to collect the required information from the target respondents but they were first pre-tested for validity and reliability. After data management, the data was analysed statistically in form of frequencies and percentages using statistical package for social scientists software (SPSS) and the results were then presented in form of frequency distribution tables, pie charts, bar graphs and narratives to show the factors affecting caretakers of HIV sero positive children.

Regarding the study findings, it can be concluded that the caregivers of sero positive children at the ART clinic in Itojo hospital were knowledgeable about HIV/AIDS especially what the disease is and how it is spread and there are several socio-economic factors which hinder the effective work of the caregivers, like long distances to the hospital, lack the money to buy an appropriate balanced diet/food which is recommended to be eaten by the children, lack the money for transportation to hospital. The study recommends that the health workers need to take a step in sensitizing the parents on the disease, the modes of transmission as well as control and there is need for a sympathetic attitude, family and public support to the families with sero positive children.