Children are the most affected by Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/ Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) because their body organs are still fragile, yet the disease affects the immune system. Aside from the physical health impacts of the illness, young ones are also more prone to HIV/AIDS stigma and discrimination-related problems. Consequently, it is necessary to conduct a literature review to establish the contributing factors of prejudice among and against children victims of the disease and approaches other scholars have used in studying the issue. Analyzing information from previous credible researchers helps in giving an extensive understanding of the problem.
Several studies have been conducted to give propitious solutions to stigma and discrimination in children with HIV/AIDS. For instance, in their research on the adolescents’ perspectives on stigma in Kenya, McHenry et al. (2016) suggest that schools, churches, and village meetings are crucial in educating them about the illness. These teachings are essential in creating public awareness of the infection causes and how it can be managed in communities. The prevalence of HIV/AIDS is higher in developing countries that have culture-based beliefs about the disease.
Consequently, the intervention approach considers that the best solution is to have a communal discussion with both the infected and affected. McHenry et al. (2016) also mention that perceived stigma is the most common cause of discrimination against HIV/AIDS teens and children. Additionally, most of their caregivers fear that the victims will lose friends and feel segregated (McHenry et al., 2016). Therefore, the authors suggest that interventions should enlighten the public that the illness is like another and can be treated.
Various authors have made different discoveries about the issue in the latest studies. In their research on the experiences of people living with HIV in Western Uganda, Vreeman et al. (2019) identified HIV-related stigma as a significant stressor among youths with the condition. Related injustices such as discrimination in schools lead to fear, loneliness, and pessimism among the infected young ones. Furthermore, Vreeman et al. (2019) also realized that most advocacy plans used to combat HIV-related prejudice originate from external and international organizations such as World Health Organization (WHO) and not local governments. National leaderships have a role in minimizing prejudice against youths and children with HIV/AIDS.
Most of the research data on stigma and discrimination in children with HIV/AIDS are mainly primary data derived from observations and surveys in qualitative studies. According to Vreeman et al. (2019), raw data is vital in evaluating and making conclusions on an individual’s personal experience. It is impossible to understand the challenges HIV/AIDS patient is going through, particularly regarding their responses toward discrimination unless one makes a face to face observation. Additionally, McHenry et al. (2016) also note that qualitative data has an advantage in establishing patterns among participants. Researchers in these studies prefer primary data because they are original and therefore objective and reliable.
Scholars interested in studying the identified problem mainly use descriptive research design because it entails naturalistic observation, surveys, and case studies. According to Vreeman et al. (2019), this approach effectively studies the experiences of children with HIV/AIDS in a more natural environment. Nonetheless, research approaches used in analyzing the subject have evolved with scholars modifying the descriptive method to accommodate systematic reviews and meta-analysis in cases where the researchers cannot make naturalistic observations. Systematic review research design uses previous related studies by giving an extensive overview of the topic and identifying gaps (Kimera et al., 2020). Depending on the constraints, a researcher is at liberty to pick either of the research approaches mentioned above.
From the research designs used dominantly in investigating young HIV/AIDS victims’ experiences, this study’s best approach would be combining descriptive research design and systematic review. Relying entirely on systemic review and meta-analysis can lead to inconsistency in the collected data, considering the large amount of information present in databases (Ghiasvand et al., 2019). Similarly, the descriptive design based on direct interaction with participants is prone to personal bias. Consequently, combining the two research methods helps address the topic in a complementary manner.
Consequently, different researchers have applied these designs in organizing their investigations. For instance, Tran et al. (2019) used the systematic review approach to establish a global understanding of HIV/AIDS discrimination. The study’s focus was narrowed down to research articles and reviews, excluding books and other information sources. This step helped the authors to use their hypothesis in identifying other similar studies that were conducted successfully. On the other hand, McHenry et al. (2016) used the descriptive research design to narrow down participants’ age to between 10 and 15-year-old children with HIV. The approach made sure that only discriminatory issues facing young adolescents were identified.
Similarly, the data analysis methods must coincide with the research design used. McHenry et al. (2016) used priori codes to help study the information collected from the interviews. Additionally, they were also used to conduct a comparative analysis to identify patterns in the responses. However, two or more interviewers should be used to improve the quality of the results. Tran et al. (2019), on the other hand, applied an exploratory factor analysis and Jaccard’s similarity index to note themes that concur with one another. This approach can be improved by using programming software such as Macro in Excel to improve accuracy and consistency.
The assignment has been an essential tool in enlightening me on the mandatory components of literature review and a research paper in general. I have a deeper understanding of two significant research designs, the descriptive approach, and systematic review. My topic was based on the stigma facing children with HIV/AIDS. I have learned that scholars prefer the qualitative approach in collecting and analyzing data because it integrates human experiences.
References
Ghiasvand, H., Waye, K., Noroozi, M., Harouni, G., Armoon, B., & Bayani, A. (2019). Clinical determinants associated with quality of life for people who live with HIV/AIDS: a Meta-analysis. BMC Health Services Research, 19(1), 42-66. Web.
Kimera, E., Vindevogel, S., Reynaert, D., Justice, K., Rubaihayo, J., & De Maeyer, J. et al. (2020). Experiences and effects of HIV-related stigma among youth living with HIV/AIDS in Western Uganda: A photovoice study. PLOS ONE, 15(4), 23-59. Web.
McHenry, M., Nyandiko, W., Scanlon, M., Fischer, L., McAteer, C., & Aluoch, J. et al. (2016). HIV Stigma: Perspectives from Kenyan child caregivers and adolescents living with HIV. Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (JIAPAC), 16(3), 215-225.
Tran, B., Ho, R., Ho, C., Latkin, C., Phan, H., & Ha, G. et al. (2019). Depression among patients with HIV/AIDS: Research development and effective interventions (GAPRESEARCH). International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, 16(10), 1772. Web.
Vreeman, R., Scanlon, M., Tu, W., Slaven, J., McAteer, C., & Aluoch, J. et al. (2019). Validation of an HIV/AIDS stigma measure for children living with HIV and their families. Journal of the International Association of Providers of AIDS Care (JIAPAC), 18, 58-71.