Disclosure status of HIV-positive children and associated factors among children in public health facilities in East Arsi zone, Oromia regional state, South Eastern Ethiopia: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: This study aims to assess the disclosure status of HIV-positive children and its associated factors in selected hospitals in East Arsi zone, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia, 2020. Methods: Institutional-based cross-sectional study design was conducted on 410 sample size. Four hospitals were randomly selected among hospitals that currently gave service. Data were collected from caregivers/biological parents by interviewing from 30 July 2020 to 30 August 2020 using the systematic random sampling technique. In logistic regression analysis, the variables which had independent correlations with dependent variable were identified based on adjusted odds ratio and a p value Results: Disclosure status of HIV-positive children was 59.8%, 95% confidence interval (54.9, 64.1). Children diagnosed at the age of <5 (adjusted odds ratio = 0.25, 95% confidence interval (0.126, 0.49)), antiretroviral therapy follow-up for 6-15 years (adjusted odds ratio = 2.08, 95% confidence interval (1.013, 4.29)), children diagnosed at the appropriate age of > 12 years (adjusted odds ratio = 1.95, 95% confidence interval (1.09, 3.49)), and children diagnosed at the age of <11 years (adjusted odds ratio = 4.5, 95% confidence interval (3.45, 8.38)) were positively associated factors to disclose status. Conclusion: The disclosure status of HIV-positive children was low in this study. Antiretroviral therapy follow-up for 6-15 years, children diagnosed at the appropriate age of > 12 years, children diagnosed at the age of <5 years, and children who aged below 11 years were positively associated with disclosure status. Thus, we recommended, health care providers and all stakeholders should give age-appropriate counseling regarding when and why to disclose their status.