**4. Family Functioning and social support in families affected with HIV/AIDS**

Family Functioning play a very important role in coping with HIV illness. Understanding aspects of this interaction between children's health and their family is important to keep and increase quality of life, coping and adherence to treatment, well-being and psychological adjustment for a HIV-positive child. A family with good parental relationships would mean the family members are willing to solve problems together, showing concern for each other, and there will be fewer quarrels. In this sense, it is necessary for a child with a chronic illness such as HIV could find in his/her family some solid foundations that allow him/her to deal with this diagnosis.

For estimated this variable, we used Family Apgar to assess a family member's perception of family functioning by examining his/her satisfaction with family relationships. 73.8% (N=211) of Colombian children are in a norm functionality family. This mean, responder's perception about his/her family has the basic features to be functional and harmonic in the domains: adaptation, partnership, growth, affection and resolve. 18.2% (N=52) of families

Affectation Situation of HIV/AIDS in Colombian Children 277

families affected with HIV/AIDS. 74.1% of families have a maximum social support, 22.7% have a medium social support and 3.1% have a minimum social support (See Table 3).

> **N=(286) F % Maximum** 212 74.1% **Medium** 65 22.7% **Minimum** 9 3.1%

Health-related quality of life (HRQOL) is increasingly recognized as an important measure for assessing the burden of chronic diseases (Hays et al., 2000). HIV-specific parameters, such as low CD4 cell count and high virus load, have previously been shown to adversely affect HRQOL in some studies of HIV-infected patients (Casado et al., 2011; Niuwerk et al., 2001). Other studies show weak HRQOL associations with disease stage and CD4 cell count (Niuwerk et al., 2001). Similarly, the effect of HAART on HRQOL has been assessed with

According to international definitions on the concept of childhood affected by HIV/AIDS, participating minors must comply with the following affectation categories as criteria of population inclusion, nonexcluding amongst themselves: 1. HIV/AIDS seropositive and/or seronegative children, and adolescents, orphaned by HIV/AIDS (father, mother, or both deceased because of the disease). 2. HIV seropositive children and adolescents. 3. HIV seropositive and/or seronegative children and adolescents, cohabitating with HIV

80 children were HIV-positive in five Colombia cities. 80% (N=64) were receiving antiretroviral therapy and most 34.9% (N=30) had HIV load undetectable or low 20% (N=15) (See Table 4). As we mentioned earlier, Colombian children affected with HIV/AIDS have a good level of health because all these children are affiliated to the social security health and are receiving Highly Active Antiretroviral Treatment (HAART); 80% (N=64) children are

**N=(80) F % High** 10 13.8% **Medium** 8 10% **Low** 15 20% **Undetectable** 30 34.9% **Unclassified** 17 21.3%

**(N=80) F % YES** 64 80% **NO** 14 17.5% **Unknown** 2 2.5%

Table 4. Viral Load and Antiretroviral Therapy in HIV-positive children.

**Social Support** 

some studies (Call et al., 2000).

seropositive individuals.

receiving HAART (See Table 4).

**Viral Load**

**Antirretroviral Therapy**

Table 3. Social Support in families affected with HIV/AIDS.

**5. Clinical status of children with HIV/AIDS** 

affected with HIV/AIDS report moderate dysfunction while 8% (N=23) families report severe dysfunction (See Table 2).

In every family has a complex dynamic patterns governing their living and functioning. Of this dynamic is appropriate and flexible, in other words, functional, contribute to family harmony and provide its members the ability to develop strong feelings of identity, safety and welfare (Sherboune & Stewart, 2003; Cohen et al., 1985).


Table 2. Family Functioning in families affected with HIV/AIDS.

Interest in the concept of social support has increased dramatically over the last few years, due to the belief that the availability of support may impact favorably on a person's health and emotional well-being (Sherbourne, 1988). Consider the psychological impact of HIV/AIDS social support may play a small but potentially important role in helping HIV-positive people to cope with illness.

(Leserman et al., 1992) found that subjects primarily coped with the threat of AIDS by adopting a fighting spirit, reframing stress to maximize personal growth, planning a course of action, and seeking social support; satisfaction with one's social support networks and participation in the AIDS community were related to more healthy coping strategies (e.g., fighting spirit, personal growth). These results suggest that health professionals should encourage more adaptive coping strategies, help the patients to use existing sources of positive social support, and assist patients in finding community support networks.

The availability of someone to provide help or emotional support may protect individuals from some of the negative consequences of major illness or stressful situations (Barrera, 1981).

Investigators (Brandt & Weinert, 1981; Brown & Brady, 1987; Broadhead et al, 1988; Cohen & Syme, 1985; Cohen & Wills, 1985; Duncan-Jones, 1981; House & Kahn, 1985; Norbeck et al., 1981; Reis, 1988; Sarason et al., 1983) have attempted to measure the functional components of social support. under the belief that the most essential aspect of social support is the perceived availability of functional support. (Cohen & Hoberman, 1983; House & Work, 1981; Wills, 1985). Functional support refers to the degree to which interpersonal relationships serve particular functions.

The functions most often cited are (1) emotional support which involves caring, love and empathy, (2) instrumental support (referred to by many as tangible support), (3) information, guidance or feedback that can provide a solution to a problem, (4) appraisal support which involves information relevant to self-evaluation and, (5) social companionship, which involves spending time with others in leisure and recreational activities. (Ahumada et al., 2005; Fleming et al., 2004; Gill et al., 2002; Sherbourne, 1988).

A 20-item MOS questionnaire was administered to all participants. This questionnaire limits the evaluation scale of the entire network of the interview subjects; participants performed their social support excluding people that do not have a good relationship. Four degrees of functional social support (Call et al., 2000): An emotional/informational, tangible, affectionate, and positive social interaction were administered and shows a Global Index of

affected with HIV/AIDS report moderate dysfunction while 8% (N=23) families report

In every family has a complex dynamic patterns governing their living and functioning. Of this dynamic is appropriate and flexible, in other words, functional, contribute to family harmony and provide its members the ability to develop strong feelings of identity, safety

**N=(286) F % Norm Functionality** 211 73.8% **Moderate dysfunction** 52 18.2% **Severe dysfunction** 23 8%

Interest in the concept of social support has increased dramatically over the last few years, due to the belief that the availability of support may impact favorably on a person's health and emotional well-being (Sherbourne, 1988). Consider the psychological impact of HIV/AIDS social support may play a small but potentially important role in

(Leserman et al., 1992) found that subjects primarily coped with the threat of AIDS by adopting a fighting spirit, reframing stress to maximize personal growth, planning a course of action, and seeking social support; satisfaction with one's social support networks and participation in the AIDS community were related to more healthy coping strategies (e.g., fighting spirit, personal growth). These results suggest that health professionals should encourage more adaptive coping strategies, help the patients to use existing sources of

The availability of someone to provide help or emotional support may protect individuals from some of the negative consequences of major illness or stressful situations (Barrera,

Investigators (Brandt & Weinert, 1981; Brown & Brady, 1987; Broadhead et al, 1988; Cohen & Syme, 1985; Cohen & Wills, 1985; Duncan-Jones, 1981; House & Kahn, 1985; Norbeck et al., 1981; Reis, 1988; Sarason et al., 1983) have attempted to measure the functional components of social support. under the belief that the most essential aspect of social support is the perceived availability of functional support. (Cohen & Hoberman, 1983; House & Work, 1981; Wills, 1985). Functional support refers to the degree to which

The functions most often cited are (1) emotional support which involves caring, love and empathy, (2) instrumental support (referred to by many as tangible support), (3) information, guidance or feedback that can provide a solution to a problem, (4) appraisal support which involves information relevant to self-evaluation and, (5) social companionship, which involves spending time with others in leisure and recreational activities. (Ahumada et al., 2005; Fleming et al., 2004; Gill et al., 2002; Sherbourne, 1988). A 20-item MOS questionnaire was administered to all participants. This questionnaire limits the evaluation scale of the entire network of the interview subjects; participants performed their social support excluding people that do not have a good relationship. Four degrees of functional social support (Call et al., 2000): An emotional/informational, tangible, affectionate, and positive social interaction were administered and shows a Global Index of

positive social support, and assist patients in finding community support networks.

severe dysfunction (See Table 2).

**Family Functioning** 

1981).

and welfare (Sherboune & Stewart, 2003; Cohen et al., 1985).

Table 2. Family Functioning in families affected with HIV/AIDS.

helping HIV-positive people to cope with illness.

interpersonal relationships serve particular functions.


families affected with HIV/AIDS. 74.1% of families have a maximum social support, 22.7% have a medium social support and 3.1% have a minimum social support (See Table 3).

Table 3. Social Support in families affected with HIV/AIDS.
