AEGiS-06IAC: The psychosocial needs of HIV infected mothers.

6th International AIDS Conference


San Francisco, California, USA — June 20-23, 1990

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The psychosocial needs of HIV infected mothers.

Int Conf AIDS 1990 Jun 20-23; 6:329 (abstract no. Th.D.813)
Mok JY, Cosgrove J, Hague RA; City Hospital, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

OBJECTIVE: To assess the psychosocial needs of HIV infected mothers, with the aim of providing optimum services.

METHODS: A standard questionnaire was administered to ascertain current sources of support for HIV infected mothers and children; and to determine if there was a need for a more structured system.

RESULTS: From 1.9.89 to 31.12.89, 16 HIV infected mothers of 18 children were interviewed. Sources of support included health professionals (75%), partner (68.8%), parent or sibling (68.8%) and friends (43.8%) Thirteen women (81.3%) knew parents of other children in the cohort, although only 7/13 (53.9%) discussed HIV related problems with other parents. Of those who did, 5/7 (71.4%) found it useful. Only 7 mothers (41.2%) expressed a definite wish to meet other parents, mainly in a group setting on neutral ground.

CONCLUSION: HIV related issues remain a closely guarded secret, with health professionals being used as the main source of support. Just over half of the HIV infected mothers preferred not to meet as a group at present.

Keywords: AEGIS, HIV, Mothers, Health Services Needs and Demand, HIV Infections, HIV-1, Questionnaires, Human, Female, Child, ICA6KWDaegis,hiv,mothers,healthservicesneedsanddemand,hivinfections,hiv-1,questionnaires,human,female,child,ica6

900620
ThD813

Copyright © 1990 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.