Understanding the experiences of caregivers of HIV-exposed children under five: A phenomenological inquiry

Background: Children born to mothers with HIV require special care from the womb to the
postnatal period, and caregivers involved in their care face several challenges.
Objective: This study aimed to explore caregivers’ experiences providing care for HIVexposed children under five.
Methods: This study employed a phenomenological approach. Ten caregivers of HIVexposed children living in Jakarta, Indonesia, were selected using snowball techniques. Online
in-depth interviews were conducted to collect data from September 2021 to July 2022, and
thematic analysis using Colaizzi’s method was performed for data analysis.
Results: The study involved ten caregivers (nine females and one male) aged between 23
and 42 years. Seven of them were mothers who tested HIV-positive, while one was an
adoptive father, one was a mother’s sister, and one was an aunt of HIV-exposed children. The
majority of them were housewives and had a low educational background. Three themes were
generated: (i) disease-transmission foreboding, (ii) prejudice against mothers and children
exposed to HIV, and (iii) seeking support.
Conclusion: Caring for HIV-exposed children poses emotional and physical challenges for
caregivers, necessitating support from health professionals and peer groups. Nurses play
essential roles in improving caregiver well-being and supporting optimal growth and
development in HIV-exposed children under five by designing intervention programs.
Furthermore, to enhance home-based HIV care in Indonesia, the government must implement
social interventions that target families with limited resources.