Maseru, Jul. 16–Despite some advancements in achieving key milestones towards ending AIDS in children and adolescents, progress remains slow and major challenges continue to hinder the attainment of global targets, the World Health Organisation (WHO) says, and disclosure is a continuing challenge for these groups, with limited evidence for effective interventions.
WHO defines disclosure as the process by which children and adolescents are made aware of their own HIV status, enabling them to share this with others safely and when ready, and empowering them to be engaged in and lead decision-making about their own health. It says disclosure, when done the right way, can lead to significant benefits, increased social support, reduced stress and improved mental health and although they are a driver of improved clinical outcomes, disclosure decisions can be particularly complex, with important considerations to be weighed up concerning potential risks and benefits…
