A systematic literature review of the institutionalization of children living with HIV

With the prevalence of HIV/AIDS around the world today, institutionalization often times becomes the only viable option for children whose family and friends are unable to care for them. In the absence of close relatives or friends to care for these children, institutionalized children have needs that are not just specific to their HIV treatment. Whether the biological and psychological needs of HIV-positive children are being met in these institutions is held into question in this study. This systematic review, therefore, gathers existing literature from electronic databases and internet organizations on the institutionalization of children living with HIV, more specifically those in Latin America, in order to examine the effects of said institutionalization. One pronounced effect is the lack of openness in communication between caretaker and patient: it was found that a need for disclosure is increasingly important in promoting patient awareness about his/her disease.