In this study knowledge and perceptions of parents and/or responsibles and of their HIV infected children and adolescents in a national health clinic of pediatric Aids were investigated. Observation techniques and semi-structured interviews were used before the installation of a playroom to investigate: the discovery of the HIV infection by the family, their social conditions, access to prevention and treatment and their perception of the disease. Results show that a significant number of relatives interviewed (n=28) realized that they were also HIV-carriers when their children's health deteriorated (14 or 50.0 %); the death of the spouse occurred (6 or 21.4%) and by the symptoms of the disease in themselves (8 or 28.6%). Among the 32 children interviewed, 28 (87.5%) were not aware of their diagnosis and 18 (56.3%) were not enroled into school. Out of the 14 different schools frequented by 14 (43.8%) children, only 7 (50%) of these institutions knew about the children's diagnosis. Analysis of drawings and general playroom activities indicate that the playroom is a promising environment for the promotion of health information and continued dialog, stimulating adhesion to treatmet.
Pediatric AIDS; playroom; health education
