AIDS Orphans and Other Children Affected by HIV

Cultural Aspects ◽

Care And Support ◽

Multiple Challenges ◽

Since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the number of deaths in reproductive age groups has led to nearly 18 million children being left orphaned. Orphans are not only faced with the loss of one or both parents but may also suffer loss of property and inheritance, disruption from school, and psychosocial distress from the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS. This chapter explores the psychological, social, and cultural aspects of HIV/AIDS orphanhood. It addresses the financial and emotional support that orphans and their caregivers need, as well as key strategies shown to be effective to protect, support, and empower orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). Such strategies include providing education, psychosocial care and support, household economic strengthening, social protection, health and nutrition, child and legal protection, and capacity building. However, despite the considerable progress achieved, multiple challenges still prevent many OVC from receiving effective care and support. These aspects need to be urgently addressed in order to build evidence-based programs, respond to the needs of all AIDS-affected children, and achieve the dream of an AIDS-free generation.

Care and Support Programmes for Orphans and Vulnerable Children: Achievements and Implications of HIV/AIDS Funded Project in Osun State, Nigeria

World Journal of AIDS ◽

10.4236/wja.2019.94015 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 09 (04) ◽

pp. 195-213

Author(s):

Adebola A. Adejimi ◽

Ajibola Olagunoye ◽

Adeyemi Amuda ◽

Olubukola Alawale ◽

Oluwatoyin Adeola-Musa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Vulnerable Children ◽

Care And Support ◽

Funded Project ◽

Support Programmes ◽

A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Interventions for Orphans and Vulnerable Children Affected by HIV/AIDS Worldwide

Annals of Behavioral Medicine ◽

10.1093/abm/kaaa022 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 54 (11) ◽

pp. 853-866

Author(s):

Tina Thomas ◽

Mei Tan ◽

Yusra Ahmed ◽

Elena L Grigorenko

Keyword(s):

Social Protection ◽

Meta Analysis ◽

Effect Sizes ◽

Positive Outcomes ◽

Community Based Interventions ◽

Community Based ◽

Vulnerable Children ◽

Positive Effects ◽

Abstract Background Worldwide, there are more than 13.3 million orphans and vulnerable children affected by Human immunodeficiency virus infection and acquired immune deficiency syndrome (HIV/AIDS) (HIV OVC), defined as individuals below the age of 18 who have lost one or both parents to HIV/AIDS or have been made vulnerable by HIV/AIDS; they are at risk for negative psychosocial and cognitive outcomes. Purpose This meta-analysis aimed to examine the scientific literature on available interventions for HIV OVC, with a focus on community-based interventions (CBI). Methods Systematic electronic searches were conducted from four databases between October 2016 and April 2017 to identify articles investigating the effectiveness of interventions for HIV OVC. Effect sizes were calculated for each article which provided enough information and data points for analyses. Results Seventy-four articles were reviewed, including psychosocial interventions (d = 0.30), cognitive interventions (d = 0.14), social protection interventions (d = 0.36), and community-based interventions (CBI; d = 0.36). Study-specific effect sizes varied widely, ranging from −1.09 to 2.26, that is, from a negative effect to an impressively large positive one, but the majority of studies registered small to medium effects (the overall effect size for all studies was 0.32, SE = 0.03, 95% CI: 0.26–0.37). Social protection interventions had the highest positive outcomes whereas CBI tended to have the fewest significant positive outcomes, with some outcomes worsening instead of improving. Conclusions Overall, interventions provided to OVC have potential for improving cognitive, psychosocial, and risk-behavior outcomes. Social protection interventions and CBI had the highest effect sizes, but CBI had positive effects on fewer outcomes and demonstrated some negative effects. CBI warrant scrutiny for improvement, as they represent an important form of culturally embedded services with potentially long-term benefits to OVC, yet appear to be differentially effective. Successful components of other types of intervention were identified, including cash grants, mentorship, and family therapy. In addition, more research is needed that attends to which interventions may be more effective for specific populations, or that studies cost-effectiveness.

Queens as Mothers: the role of the traditional safety net of care and support for HIV/AIDS orphans and vulnerable children in Ghana

GeoJournal ◽

10.1007/s10708-008-9145-9 ◽

2008 ◽

Vol 71 (2-3) ◽

pp. 93-106 ◽

Cited By ~ 18

Author(s):

Ragnhild Lund ◽

Samuel Agyei-Mensah

Keyword(s):

Safety Net ◽

Vulnerable Children ◽

Aids Orphans ◽

Care And Support ◽

Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens Act 2007: A Critical Appraisal

Indian Journal of Psychological Medicine ◽

10.1177/02537176211043932 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 025371762110439

Author(s):

Thomas Gregor Issac ◽

Abhishek Ramesh ◽

Shiv Shanker Reddy ◽

Palanimuthu T. Sivakumar ◽

Channaveerachari Naveen Kumar ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Social Protection ◽

Elder Abuse ◽

Senior Citizens ◽

Elderly Care ◽

Legal Protection ◽

Well Being ◽

The Elderly ◽

Traditional Values ◽

Care And Support ◽

The Social

Background: The sociocultural changes associated with globalization and development have weakened the traditional values and family support systems for senior citizens (age 60 years and above). There is an increase in the prevalence of elder abuse and difficulties in getting appropriate care and support. This has mandated legal measures to protect the rights of the senior citizens and provide them care and support by the family and other stakeholders. Consequent to being the signatory for the “Madrid International Plan of Action on Ageing, 2002,” several countries, including India, have introduced legislation for the social protection of senior citizens. “The Maintenance and Welfare of Parents and Senior Citizens(MWP) Act, 2007” is an important legislation in India to safeguard the elderly from exploitation and abuse. Methods: This article critically evaluates the implementation of the MWP Act, 2007, and the related challenges in protecting senior citizens from abuse. The article will also highlight the proposed amendments in the Act to strengthen the effective implementation of legal protection for senior citizens and ensure their well-being and dignity. Conclusions: The MWP act is an important legal measure to ensure mainatinence and welfare of senior citizens and protect them from abuse and neglect. There is an immediate need to incorporate the necessary amendments so that the act gets more pragmatic value and becomes and important tool for elderly care and protection and reduce vulnerabilities and ensure holistic care with support in various bio-psycho-social domains.

Care and support for youth living with HIV/AIDS in secondary schools: perspectives of school stakeholders in western Uganda

BMC Public Health ◽

10.1186/s12889-020-10143-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 21 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Emmanuel Kimera ◽

Sofie Vindevogel ◽

Didier Reynaert ◽

Anne-Mie Engelen ◽

Kintu Mugenyi Justice ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Secondary Schools ◽

Qualitative Inquiry ◽

Resource Limited ◽

Care And Support ◽

Gradual Process ◽

Youth Living With Hiv ◽

Living With Hiv ◽

Western Uganda ◽

Hiv Aids ◽

School Stakeholders

Abstract Background Although schools have been identified as significant settings in the response to the HIV/AIDS pandemic, limited research is available on how they can accommodate Youth Living with HIV/AIDS (YLWHA), especially in resource limited countries. In this study, we explored strategies by school stakeholders (school staff, parents/caretakers, and students) in western Uganda to care for and support YLWHA in their schools. Methods The article utilizes data collected between May and October, 2019 from a qualitative inquiry based on focus group discussions and interviews with 88 school stakeholders purposively selected from 3 secondary schools in western Uganda. Textual data was analyzed thematically involving both inductive and deductive coding. Results We identified 7 overarching interrelated themes in which participants reported strategies to care for and support YLWHA: counselling and guidance; social support networks and linkages; knowledge and skills; anti-stigma and anti-discrimination measures; disclosure of HIV status; treatment and management of HIV/AIDS; and affirmative actions for YLWHA. Stakeholders’ strategies often differed regarding what was considered appropriate, the approach and who to take lead in supporting YLWHA. Conclusions Despite the limited care and support strategies specific for YLWHA currently available in schools, our study points to optimism and high potential given stakeholders’ identified avenues for improvement. We posit that promoting HIV/AIDS-care and support in schools is a gradual process requiring each school to develop a strong knowledge base about HIV/AIDS and support needs of YLWHA, develop a coherent and school-wide approach, and collaborate extensively with external stakeholders who are significant in supporting YLWHA.

Review of the Micronutrient Situation in Rwanda

Food and Nutrition Bulletin ◽

10.1177/0379572120975298 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 42 (1) ◽

pp. 133-154

Author(s):

Joanne E. Arsenault ◽

Deanna K. Olney

Keyword(s):

Life Cycle ◽

Young Children ◽

Vitamin A ◽

Vitamin A Deficiency ◽

Grey Literature ◽

Age Groups ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Micronutrient Deficiencies ◽

Micronutrient Malnutrition ◽

Context Specific

Background: Rwanda’s commitment to reducing malnutrition is evident in their multisectoral nutrition policy and wide array of nutrition partners. However, the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies and the suitability of current strategies to address existing deficiencies is unclear. Objective: To review the available evidence related to the prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies across the life cycle and strategies in place to address them. Methods: We reviewed scientific and grey literature on nutritional problems in Rwanda, emphasizing micronutrient deficiencies and anemia, and current strategies to address micronutrient malnutrition. Results: Overall, there is scant evidence related to the types and prevalence of micronutrient deficiencies among populations across the life cycle in Rwanda. Existing evidence is primarily limited to outdated or small regional surveys focusing on iron or vitamin A among women and young children. Surveys have assessed the prevalence of anemia and indicate that anemia is very high among young children and moderately high among other age-groups. However, there are limited data on the context-specific causes of anemia in Rwanda across population groups. Current nutrition strategies mainly target women and young children and are primarily designed to reduce vitamin A deficiency and/or anemia caused by micronutrient deficiencies. Conclusions: Rwanda has many nutrition programs in place that address micronutrient deficiencies in young children and a few for women of reproductive age. However, gaps exist in knowledge of the extent of different types of micronutrient deficiencies among all populations across the life cycle and whether the delivery of nutrients through current programs is meeting actual needs.

Social protection for orphans and vulnerable children in Zimbabwe: The case for cash transfers

International Social Work ◽

10.1177/0020872809355385 ◽

2010 ◽

Vol 53 (2) ◽

pp. 261-275 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Mildred T. Mushunje ◽

Muriel Mafico

Keyword(s):

Social Protection ◽

Psychosocial Support ◽

Cash Transfers ◽

Vulnerable Children ◽

Governmental Organizations ◽

Non Governmental Organizations ◽

The Social ◽

Attractive Option

The unprecedented number of orphans and vulnerable children in Zimbabwe has created an urgent need to create innovative ways to provide for the social protection of these children. Innovative packages consisting of educational, food and psychosocial support are being implemented by non-governmental organizations. However, as the orphan crisis continues to deepen, more needs to be done and, learning from the experiences of other countries, the option of cash transfers for social protection for orphans and vulnerable children offers an attractive option for Zimbabwe. This article explores the possibility of using cash transfers for the support of orphans and vulnerable children and highlights the challenges and strengths of this approach.

Functional time series analysis of age-specific fertility rates: visualizing the change in the age-pattern of fertility in India

International Journal of Advanced Statistics and Probability ◽

10.14419/ijasp.v4i2.6182 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 4 (2) ◽

pp. 79

Author(s):

Mallika Deb ◽

Tapan Kumar Chakrabarty

Keyword(s):

Time Series ◽

Time Series Analysis ◽

Rural Women ◽

Age Groups ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Data Series ◽

Fertility Rates ◽

Registration System ◽

Series Analysis ◽

Functional Time Series

Functional Time Series Analysis (FTSA) is carried out in this article to uncover the temporal variations in the age pattern of fertility in India. Attempt is made to find whether there is any typical age pattern in the nation’s fertility across the reproductive age groups. If so, how do we characterize the role of changing age pattern of fertility across reproductive age groups in the nation’s fertility transition? We have used region-specific (rural-urban) and country level data series on Age-Specific Fertility Rates (ASFRs) available from Sample Registration System (SRS), India during 1971-2013. Findings of this study are very impressive. It is observed that the youngest age group of women in 15-19 years has contributed to the maximum decline in fertility with a substantially accelerated pace during the period of study. The major changes in fertility rates among Indian women dominated by the rural representation occur at the ages after 30. Further, the study also suggests that the future course of demographic transition in India from third phase to the fourth phase of replacement fertility would depend on the degree and pace of decline among the rural women aged below 30 years.

Study on factors affecting fertility of Bangladeshi women

Z H Sikder Women’s Medical College Journal ◽

10.47648/zhswmcj.2020.v0102.02 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 1 (Number 2) ◽

pp. 6-10

Author(s):

Monowar Ahmad Tarafdar ◽

Nadia Begum ◽

Shila Rani Das ◽

Sultana Begum ◽

Mehruba Afrin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Middle Class ◽

Rural Area ◽

Age Groups ◽

Wealth Index ◽

Cross Sectional Study ◽

Reproductive Age ◽

Age Group ◽

Cross Sectional ◽

Lower Middle Class ◽

Factors Affecting

This is a cross sectional study conducted among Currently Married Women of Reproductive Age (CMWRA) with a sample size of 476 selected purposively using a semi-structured questionnaire in 2018 at Moulvibazar Sadar to explore the factors affecting fertility. The result shows that 55.26% respondents were within 35 years age whereas only 4.28% from age group 46-49 years age group, 33% of the respondents got married at <16 years of age and 18.70% were illiterate, 47.90% had primary education. It is evident that 76% of the respondents were from rural area; 88% were Muslims, 29.41% from lower middle class followed by upper middle class (25.42%) and poorest comprised only 7.56%. The result explored that 73.91% of the respondents were from age group 41-45 got married before 16 years of age followed by 36-40 years (68.24%), 46-49 years (66%), 20-25 and 26-30 years age groups 52.38% and 52.75% respectively; 73.33% of respondents from rural area got married at <16 years of age, 68.42% of the Muslim at <16 years. The study explored that 96.39% from poorer section and 83.33% from poorest section got married at <16 years of age. Current study revealed that 82.91% of the respondents having secondary education got married before 16 years of age followed by illiterate (82.02%). It is explored that the age at marriage is statistically associated with residence, education, wealth index and religion (p= 0.001, 0.03, 0.001, 0.001 respectively). We conclude that the sociodemographic condition contributes mostly to fertility differentials in Bangladesh.