Fears about HIV transmission in families with an HIV-infected parent: A qualitative study

Background: Parents with HIV sometimes worry about transmitting their illness to their children. Few studies, however, have explored children's or family member's fears about HIV transmission in families with an HIV-infected parent.

Methods: We conducted semi-structured interviews between March 2004 and March 2005 with 33 HIV-infected parents, 27 children aged 9-17 years old, 19 adult-children, and 15 caregivers. The interviews covered fears about HIV transmission. The families represent a sub-sample of HIV-infected parents included in the HIV Cost and Services Utilization Study (HCSUS). We conducted qualitative analyses of themes relating to transmission fears.

Results: In about two-thirds of families, at least one family member identified HIV-transmission-related fears. Children wondered if they could continue to kiss their parents on the lips or drink out of the same glass. Parents were concerned about infecting their children when bleeding and about acquiring an opportunistic infection from a sick child. Some of these fears came from misconceptions about modes of HIV transmission. Families set ground-rules, such as separating bathroom items and not sharing food items, to alleviate fears about HIV transmission.

Conclusions: By educating family members about the possible modes of HIV transmission in a household with an HIV-infected parent, pediatricians and others treating children of HIV-infected parents may be able to allay the fears family members have about the transmission of HIV.