Parents’ Approaches to HIV Disclosure in Dodoma, Tanzania: A Phenomenological Study

Abstract

This phenomenological study explores the approaches used by parents to disclose their HIV status to their children. It investigates the lived experiences of 11 parents living with HIV who attend a care and Treatment Clinic (CTC) at the Dodoma General Referral Hospital, Tanzania. Data from semi-structured interviews were analysed using Colaizzi's method. The findings indicate that disclosure is an intentional, staged process that involves managing content, context, and timing. In their disclosures, parents used both direct verbalisation and gradual prompts, such as showing medication, treatment cards, or brochures, and preferred to do so at home during 'happy family moments' to minimise their children's emotional distress. Although parents go through this process on their own because of the lack of formal professional guidance, reliance on trial and error increases the possibility of psychological distress. In response, this study calls for a shift towards longitudinal, family-centred counselling and the standardisation of guidelines. By capitalising on peer-led mentorship and home-based support, disclosure could be made a well-structured transition that reinforces family resilience.