AEGiS-05IAC: Adoption of children born to HIV positive women.

5th International AIDS Conference

Montreal, Quebec, Canada — Jun 4-9, 1989

Adoption of children born to HIV positive women.

Int Conf AIDS 1989 Jun 4-9; 5:937 (abstract no. E.807)

Corlett S, Skinner K, O'Hara G, Fowler S, Mok J; Lothian Regional Council Social Work Department, Edinburgh, UK

OBJECTIVE: To describe the placement in adoptive families of children born to HIV positive women.

METHODS: Adoptive families were recruited from 2 sources 1) Foster families already caring for a child. All foster parents are informed and prepared to care for a child at risk of HIV, and some volunteered. Their strength of feeling for the child led these families to want to adopt. 2) Adoptive families specifically recruited for children at risk of HIV. All prospective adopters are informed about HIV, and told about children with special needs, including children at risk of HIV. Some families responded.

RESULTS: 4 children have been adopted. All are now HIV negative with good health. Extensive preparation and support after placement includes medical advice, special support group, hygiene advice, practical help, financial subsidy. Issues are: dealing with the uncertainty of caring for a child who may become ill and die; confidentiality; what to tell the child.

CONCLUSION: Adoptive families have been found without special advertising from foster parents and prospective adopters. Informing all carriers about HIV is crucial. Our experiences have informed development of an HIV screening policy for women placing children. Consideration of relatives as adopters of children whose parents die is a future issue.

Keywords: AEGIS, Adoption, Foster Home Care, HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, Family, Child Rearing, Caregivers, Child Welfare, Confidentiality, Public Policy, Child Abuse, Child Psychology, Emotions, Child Development, Child Behavior, Child, Human, Female, ICA5

1989-06-04
E807