Life experiences and well-being among children born from mother with HIV in Thailand

In the era of accessibility to HAART, one challenge is growing-up of children born from HIV-positive mother in earlier of HIV epidemic since HIV can positively and negatively effect on their current and future living.

The cross-sectional survey was done by using questionnaire of socio-demography and life events and the PedsQL™4.0 to explore life experiences and well-being among children aged 5-18 years who born from HIV-positive mothers in 2 selected provinces of Thailand. There were 115 HIV-positive children and their caregivers voluntarily participated and completed questionnaires.

Preliminary results showed that two-third of children lose father and/or mother. Stigma & discrimination were occurred outside more than inside of home. Around 60% knew their HIV-status. About 70% had severely illness and nearly 100% received ARV. Besides, children had problems on physical and intellectual developments higher than emotional development. Mean of total score of PedsQL4.0 was 78%. Score of physical health were higher a bit than psychosocial health. The lowest score of psychosocial health was schooling functioning.

The results suggest that to support these HIV-positive children living with well-being, it needs intervention to support them coping with problems concerning school functioning and its related problem.