An exploratory study of the impact of primary caregiver HIV infection on caregiving and child developmental outcome in the era of Haart: piloting the methodology

The study's primary objective is to pilot the methodology for research into the effects of primary caregivers¿ HIV infection on child-care and child development in households. Five HIV positive women on antiretroviral therapy, who were the primary caregiver of an HIV negative child less than six years old, were administered a questionnaire and semi structured interview. The children underwent a developmental assessment, and two home observations were conducted in each household. The multi-method approach produced a conceptually rich, dynamic understanding of the impact of caregiver infection that future research can build on by revising the examination of relational aspects of care.