HIFASS-LOPIN-3 Empowerment Programs and the Wellbeing of Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Southern Senatorial District of Cross River State, Nigeria

This study examined the various empowerment programs carried out by Health Initiatives for Safety and Stability in Africa – Local OVC Partner in Nigeria – Region 3 (HIFASS-LOPIN-3) as they affect the wellbeing of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC). Three objectives were outlined to include investigating the relationship between HIFASS-LOPIN-3 educational empowerment program and OVC’s school enrolment; HIFASS-LOPIN-3 provision of health services and OVC’s accessibility to quality healthcare facilities; HIFASS-LOPIN-3 skills acquisition training/financial empowerment program and the income level of OVC/caregivers. An Ex-post facto research design was employed in this study and a sample size of three hundred and eighty (380) respondents was drawn using multi-stage, simple random, stratified and snowball sampling techniques. The reliability test of the instrument was done using the test-retest reliability method. Primary data was obtained using a questionnaire and in-depth interview schedule, while secondary data was sourced from journals, texts, newspapers, internet, unpublished papers. The hypotheses were tested using Pearson’s Product-Moment Correlation Coefficient (r) and Chi-Square statistical techniques, together with frequency/percentage analysis. The study revealed among others that HIFASS-LOPIN-3 educational empowerment has significantly improved OVC’s school enrolment; HIFASS-LOPIN-3 skills acquisition training/financial empowerment program has significantly improved the income level of OVC/caregivers, nevertheless, almost all the OVC who reported having income-generating skills experienced challenges like insufficient start-up capital, insecurity, and crippling economic policies. It was recommended that government should make provision for OVC’s subsidized medical bills and adequate provision for start-up capital/equipment or materials should be made for older OVC/caregivers who receive skills acquisition training.

Assessing sources of resilience in orphans and vulnerable children in Amajuba District schools

The main aim of the study was to assess the sources of resilience in orphans and vulnerable children in district schools in the local communities of Amajuba. The study has drawn insight from the social ecological theory of Bronfenbrenner. Being a mixed-method research approach, its design is grounded within the post-positivism paradigm. A self-administered questionnaire and individual interviews were used to collect data from 303 orphans and vulnerable children purposively sampled from schools within the Amajuba district KwaZulu-Natal for the quantitative phase, while eight orphans and vulnerable children were interviewed for the qualitative phase. Frequency distributions and a thematic analysis were employed to analyse the data. The findings establish that apart from HIV/Aids related deaths of parents, poverty, disabilities, abandonment or neglect, and COVID-19 are found to be other causes of vulnerability among the participants. Conversely, future expectations, religion or spirituality, and an extraverted personality type were found to be the sources of resilience in the participants. The inclusion of resilience in the education/school curriculum across all levels as well as resilience booster interventions are recommended for African children.

Household Participation in Internal Saving and Lending Schemes: Impact on Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Chegutu, Zimbabwe

There seems to an abundance of literature that discusses Internal Savings and Lending Schemes (ISALS) and poverty reduction in Zimbabwe and elsewhere in Africa. However, there is a lack of academic literature in Zimbabwe that interrogates the impact of ISALS on orphans and vulnerable children. This paper, using the project being implemented by the Tsungirirai Organisation (TO), discovered that when households participate in ISALS there is positive expenditure on education, food, health and many other needs of orphans and vulnerable children. More importantly, the study identified household expenditure on transport for orphans and vulnerable children living with HIV to access anti-retroviral medications (ARVs). As a qualitative study, the data in the study were collected using in-depth interviews and Focus Group Discussions (FGD) and we analysed the data by using thematic content analysis.

Social Challenges to the Education of Orphaned and Vulnerable Children in Eleme, Nigeria

Nigerian children under prolonged suffering because of loss of parents are faced with several challenges such as dropping out of school; in some cases, they may even be taken out of school to care for the home. In this study, we determined the challenges (financial, emotional and psychological) to the education of orphaned and vulnerable children in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, Nigeria. All the 396 orphans in orphanages in the study Area constituted the study population. A Questionnaire captioned “the challenges to the education of orphans and vulnerable children, a case study of Eleme Local Government Areas of Rivers State”, was developed for the study. Whether male or female, the children held that financial situations and emotional stress, to a high extent affected their education. The children attempt to cope with these challenges by being frugal, seeking company among themselves, and trying to develop the ability to manage their emotions. Clearly, the provision of access to finance (e.g., through special bursaries and grants) and guidance and counselling professionals will enhance the continuity and performance of orphans and vulnerable children in the schools. Received: 2 May 2021 / Accepted: 15 June 2021 / Published: 8 July 2021

Malaria and Insecticide-Treated Net (ITN) Utilization among Orphans and Vulnerable Children in Nigeria

Background: The lack of empirical data on the malaria status of orphans and vulnerable children (OVC), access to long-lasting insecticide-treated nets (LLINs), and knowledge about the disease can hamper the development of effective policies and programs to address their malaria-related needs. Aim: The aim of this study was to evaluate knowledge of malaria transmission and utilization of LLINs among OVC in Ondo metropolis, Nigeria. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted in Ondo City, Ondo State, Nigeria, between January and March 2018. The study was carried out among 66 OVC (age 5–19 years) using questionnaires. Information on socio-demography, LLIN utilization, knowledge and risks of malaria transmission among OVC was sought. Results: The use of LLINs (80.9%) among OVC was significantly higher than the use of insecticide spray (6.1%) and mosquito coils (12.1%) (p <0.0001). Knowledge about malaria transmission was relatively high, and the majority of children (60.6%) believed malaria is mostly transmitted during the dry season. Fewer children (21.2%) had a history of malaria in the last 3 months. Conclusions: The risk of malaria transmission was low among OVC. Continuous accessibility of orphanage homes to LLINs should be sustained to prevent malaria transmission among OVC.

Nutritional status among orphans and vulnerable children aged 6 to 59 months in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: a community-based cross-sectional study

Background Childhood undernutrition is a global problem contributing to more than a third of under-five mortality. Orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) fare worse than children living with their parents. However, the nutritional and healthcare needs of OVC are under-recognized in Ethiopia. Methods A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among OVC aged 6 to 59 months. Multi-stage sampling technique was applied to select the households and eligible children included in the study (n = 584). An interviewer-administered questionnaire and anthropometric measurements were carried out. The proportions of stunting, wasting and underweight were determined based on the WHO Z-score cut-off. Factors associated with stunting were identified by Multivariable binary logistic regression analysis. Results The prevalence of stunting, wasting and underweight were 35.1% (95% CI; 31.3–39.1%), 4.7% (95% CI; 3.2–6.7%) and 12.0% (95% CI; 9.6–14.9%), respectively. Stunting was significantly associated with initiation of complementary feeding after 12 months of age (AOR = 3.61; 95% CI 1.16–14.11), household food insecurity (AOR = 1.90; 95% CI 1.10–3.17), unplanned pregnancy (AOR = 1.90; 95% CI 1.03–3.42), age ≥ 2 years (AOR = 1.80; 95% CI 1.25–2.67), caretaker’s age ≤ 25 years (AOR = 1.50; 95% CI 1.03–2.16) and employment of the caretaker (AOR = 1.50; 95% CI 1.03–2.26). Conclusion The prevalence of all forms of undernutrition among OVC was significantly higher than the national estimate that has been reported by consecutive Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys (EDHS). Policy makers and programmers working on nutritional interventions should give due emphasis to address the unmet need of OVC and focus on interventions which enhance household food security and caretaker’s awareness on child feeding and pregnancy planning.

Child Maltreatment and associated Sociodemographic factors among Children affected by HIV/AIDS in Ghana: A Multi-Informant Perspective

Background: Child maltreatment and its consequences are considered a major public health concern among children because they can cause significant physical and psychological problems. Child maltreatment is widespread but often underestimated. Surprisingly, there is hardly any data on the frequency of child maltreatment in general and particularly on orphans and vulnerable children in low-income countries. Method: This study employed cross-sectional, quantitative survey that involved 291 children aged 10–17 years in Lower Manya Krobo District, Ghana and examined their exposure to and experience of child maltreatment. The survey also examined parents/caregivers’ exposure and perpetuation of child maltreatment. Results: Some form of maltreatment within the household was reported by approximately 90% of children, and it was significantly higher among orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) as compared with comparison children. Children living with HIV/AIDS-infected parents and orphans of any type reported higher exposure to domestic violence and experienced significantly more neglect, psychological and physical abuse than the comparison children. Conclusion: The results of this survey demonstrate that maltreatment among children affected by HIV/AIDS are not rare, and that the dysfunction family conditions that they find themselves bear systemic risks for maltreatment. It is important that culturally appropriate and evidence-based interventions are implemented to address the maltreatment.

HIV risk screening and HIV testing among orphans and vulnerable children in community settings in Tanzania: Acceptability and fidelity to lay-cadre administration of the screening tool

Introduction HIV risk screening tool validation studies have not typically included process evaluations to understand tool implementation. The study aim was to assess the fidelity to which an HIV risk screening tool was administered by lay workers and acceptability of delivering home-based screening coupled with HIV testing to beneficiaries in an orphans and vulnerable children (OVC) program. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted March-April 2019 in two regions of Tanzania. Community case workers (CCW) were observed conducting screenings with OVC 2–19 years and participated in focus group discussions. Research staff used structured observation checklists to capture if screening questions were asked or reworded by CCW. In-depth interviews were conducted with older adolescents and caregivers in their homes following screening and testing. A composite score was developed for the checklist. Qualitative data were thematically analyzed to address screening and testing perceptions and experiences. Results CCW (n = 32) participated in 166 observations. Commonly skipped items were malnutrition (34% of all observed screenings) and sexual activity and pregnancy (20% and 45% of screenings for adolescents only). Items frequently re-worded included child abuse (22%) and malnutrition (15%). CCW had an average composite observation score of 42/50. CCW in focus groups (n = 34) found the screening process acceptable. However, they described rewording some questions viewed as harsh or socially inappropriate to ask. Overall, adolescent beneficiaries (n = 17) and caregivers (n = 25) were satisfied with home-based screening and testing and reported no negative consequences. Learning one’s HIV negative status was seen as an opportunity to discuss or recommit to healthy behaviors. While respondents identified multiple benefits of home testing, they noted the potential for privacy breaches in household settings. Conclusions We found sub-optimal fidelity to the administration of the screening tool by CCW in home environments to children and adolescents enrolled in an OVC program. Improvements to questions and their delivery and ongoing mentorship could strengthen tool performance and HIV case finding using a targeted testing approach. Overall, home-based HIV risk screening and testing were acceptable to beneficiaries and CCW, could improve testing uptake, and serve as a platform to promote healthy behaviors for those with limited health system interactions.

Poor linkage to care for HIV-positive OVC with disabled caregivers: a longitudinal study in Tanzania

Background Despite extensive efforts to scale up counseling and testing services and care and treatment clinics (CTCs) in Tanzania, linkage between points of diagnosis and CTCs remains low. Studies have looked at barriers such as lack of trained health providers, poor referral system, economic costs or distance to health facilities, but fewer assessed the association between caregivers’ vulnerability such as disability and linkage of orphans and vulnerable children (OVCs) in their care to health facilities. This study describes the magnitude of caregivers’ disability and assesses its relationship with successful linkage to care of their OVC living with HIV/AIDS in Tanzania. Methods Data for this analysis came from the USAID Kizazi Kipya project in 79 councils of Tanzania. Data on HIV risk, service use and ART adherence among OVC aged 0–19 years were collected during the project’s quarterly routine data collection (Oct 2017-Sep 2018). Characteristics of caregivers were collected during the project beneficiary screening and enrollment process. Generalized estimating equation models were used to analyze the factors that are associated with linkage of 14,538 HIV positive OVC to CTC, who were taken care of by 11,834 caregivers. Results The majority of caregivers (70%) were females, had completed primary education (67%), 54% were married or cohabiting. Of all the OVC, 3% were living with disabled caregivers; of whom 89% were physically disabled while 11% were mentally disabled. OVCs living with disabled caregivers were less likely to be linked to care (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.58, 0.99). Factors positively associated with OVC linkage to care were high caregivers’ education level (OR 1.99, 95% CI 1.51, 2.63) and OVC living with a HIV positive caregivers (OR 1.25, 95% CI 1.12, 1.41). OVC living in household with high socio-economic status were less likely to be linked to care (OR 0.76, 95% CI 0.67, 0.86) than those in low-SES households. Conclusion These results suggest HIV positive OVC living with disabled caregivers had poor linkage to care. The findings highlighted the need to focus attention to the disabilities-led household to promote inclusion and improve access to the HIV services.