Caring for perinatally HIV-infected children: call for mental care for the children and the caregivers

ABSTRACTAntiretroviral therapy has dramatically improved the survival rate of perinatally HIV-infected children. For them to thrive, it is necessary to understand better their mental health issues. Caregivers play an important role in children’s daily care and caregiver mental health may relate to children’s mental health. However, this association has rarely been studied. Accordingly, the present study examined the associations between depression of caregivers and that of perinatally HIV-infected children in Kigali, Rwanda. We conducted a cross-sectional study of 475 perinatally HIV-infected children aged 7–14 years and their caregivers. We collected children’s depression score data via face-to-face interviews with children using the Beck Depression Inventory for Youth. We also collected sociodemographic data using a semi-structured questionnaire with caregivers. In addition, we measured children’s weight, height, and collected their clinical records. Data were analyzed via linear and logistic regression...