IMPACT OF HIV-INFECTION ON DAY-CARE FOR P RESCHOOLERS

The objective of this survey is to display daycare problems of childre n involved with the HIV (i.e., HIV-positive themselves and/or born to HIV-positive parents). The familial factors that have a bearing on thi s issue were studied by comparing families involved with the HIV and f amilies with children suffering from non HIV-related, severe, chronic diseases. Parents seeking medical care for their children (for HIV inf ection or other problems) were asked to complete a questionnaire. Anal ysis of responses demonstrated differences according to the type of di sease. Overall, types of daycare were similar in the two groups. In co ntrast, differences were found regarding the reasons for availability of the mother for taking care of her child. In families involved with the HIV, absence of gainful employment of the mother was due to the cu mulative effects of multiple factors. Temporary help from relatives an d friends in caring for the child was fairly rare. These data show tha t protection of confidentiality regarding infection with the HIV has a direct impact on the ease with which temporary child care can be foun d.