Psychosocial Challenges Experienced by Children Affected by HIV-Related Loss

Caroline Rukunga, Ph.D., Alice Munene, PsyD; & Paul Mbutu, Ph.D., Daystar University

Abstract

Children affected by HIV-related loss go through considerable levels of physical and psychosocial challenges which may result in psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety and Post-Traumatic Stress Disorders (PTSD), among others. This study sought to establish the psychosocial challenges faced by children of between ages 8 and 12 who had lost a parent to AIDS or were living with a relative suffering from HIV-related illnesses. The study population was comprised of 210 children from two non-institutionalized children’s organizations in Nairobi County, Kenya. All the selected participants signed the assent forms while their guardians signed the consent forms. The participants, both girls and boys with a mean age of 11 years, were purposively sampled. Data was collected using a socio- demographic questionnaire to gather data on socio-demographic characteristics of the participants and the psychosocial challenges that they encountered in life. Frequency analysis of the psychosocial challenges revealed that 63.8% of the 210 participants had fear of losing another person; 62.9% had fear of being infected by HIV; 45.2% had experienced a change of life status; 41.0% were faced with multiple losses and 40.5% were being blamed for the loss. Recommendations were made to the concerned organizations and stakeholders dealing with similar population to consider addressing both physical and psychosocial needs of HIV- affected children to ensure their overall well-being.

Keywords: psychosocial challenges, HIV-affected, sibling separation, multiple losses