TITLE:
HIV Serostatus Disclosure and Associated Factors amongst Children on Antiretroviral Therapy in Fako and Meme Division, South-West Region, Cameroon
AUTHORS:
Tangwa Anthony Azah, Nguemaim Ngoufo Flore, Ayuk Bertrand Tambe
KEYWORDS:
HIV, Serostatus Disclosure, Children, Antiretroviral Therapy, Cameroon
JOURNAL NAME:
Journal of Biosciences and Medicines,
Vol.14 No.8,
August
19,
2026
ABSTRACT: Background: Disclosure of HIV serostatus to children living with HIV remains low in many sub-Saharan African countries, leading to poor adherence and psychological difficulties. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of HIV serostatus disclosure and identify factors associated with disclosure among children receiving antiretroviral therapy (ART) in Fako and Meme Divisions of the South-West Region of Cameroon. Methods: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted among 429 caregiver-child pairs recruited from four public health facilities providing pediatric HIV services in the South-West Region of Cameroon. Ethical clearance and administrative authorisation were obtained from the relevant authorities. Data were analysed using IBM SPSS version 25. Variables associated with disclosure were entered into a multivariable logistic regression model to identify independent predictors. Statistical significance was set at p Results: Caregivers ranged in age from 20 to 79 years, with a mean age of 45.7 ± 9.5 years, while the children ranged from 5 to 19 years, with a mean age of 14.2 ± 3.7 years. The prevalence of full disclosure was 62.2%. Multivariable logistic regression showed that age of the child (AOR = 5.8; 95% CI: 4.0 - 7.5; p Conclusion: HIV serostatus disclosure among children receiving ART remains suboptimal and varies across health facilities. Child age, awareness of HIV care and treatment, low self-esteem and stigma, and the person responsible for disclosure were linked to whether disclosure occurred. Strengthening family-centred and psychosocial support interventions may improve disclosure practices and enhance the health and psychological well-being of children living with HIV.