Nurses & Midwives

Informing a child or YP LWHIV of their HIV status can be a difficult task, best done as a gradual, family-centred process (8). Once a child/YP knows they are LWHIV, parents and health staff can support and educate them appropriately (9). Disclosure is best done in a planned, systematic way, rather than unplanned or forced …

Sharing of HIV status and health information Read More »

Transition to adult care may symbolise loss (as it does in many chronic conditions) however due to HIV-related stigma, this transition and associated sense of loss may be experienced more acutely.   Furthermore, since many YP moving to adult services are not yet sexually active, the nurse may need to facilitate referral to an appropriate service.  …

Transition to adult care Read More »

When children and YP are LWHIV, it is usually considered a ‘family condition’. The parents, one or both of whom are also usually LWHIV, often experience the psychosocial burden of having transmitted the virus to their child. This commonly influences the parents’ ability and willingness to allow the young person to learn of their own …

Psychosocial context and considerations Read More »

Before initiation of treatment, nurses must assess and consider the child’s ability to swallow pills.  This is a fundamental skill required before treatment in pill form can start, and before the transition to tablets from liquid. Teaching pill swallowing may require several sessions and the use of placebo capsules or jelly sweets is often helpful.  …

Pill swallowing Read More »

Due to the small population of children and YP LWHIV in Australia, paediatric formulations of antiretroviral medicines are not always readily available. Nurses may need to advocate for compassionate access to formulations not generally available in Australia.   Treatment adherence may be hampered by issues such as cumbersome liquid preparations which may require refrigeration. The child …

Treatment challenges in children Read More »

Growth in children depends on multiple factors, some of them environmental such as nutrition, maternal health, and the psychosocial context in which they live. Growth also means a growing and developing brain. Factors such as lack of access to ARVs from an early age may lead to neurodevelopment impairment.   Nurses can ensure vaccination schedules are …

Keeping well: growing children into healthy adults Read More »