AEGiS-10IAC: Care for HIV positive orphans at Nyumbani hospice.

10th International AIDS Conference


Yokohama, Japan — Aug 7-12, 1994

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Care for HIV positive orphans at Nyumbani hospice.

Int Conf AIDS 1994 Aug 7-12; 10:400 (abstract no. PD0781)
Mwangi FW; Nyumbani Hospice, Nairobi, Kenya.

OBJECTIVE: To provide total care (psychological, physical, social and spiritual) for HIV positive AIDS Orphans.

METHODS: Providing proper feeding and prompt treatment for opportunistic infections. Advocacy for general support of HIV positive orphans. Channelling the orphans to ordinary or adoptive homes when they test HIV negative. Providing an enabling environment necessary for normal child development.

RESULTS: Observed that not all orphans labelled HIV positive are actually infected. Good nursing and prompt treatment of opportunistic infections minimised their problems drastically. Only 4 children out of 60 admitted within the first 1 1/2 years died.

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION: There was evident reduction of stigma on AIDS resulting to visitors and volunteers wanting to assist in the care of the orphans doubling by the end of 1st year. Relatives of the orphans gradually accepted their own orphans. Five such orphans rejoined their families. Thirteen of the orphans were adopted through the Child Welfare Society of Kenya. Institutionalisation is not the best alternative for children under 5 years of age. However, with prevailing fear, stigma and resulting (to) rejection. Nyumbani experience offering hope and consolation to the orphans can be used to provide quality care as efforts are made to reduce the stigma in the society.

Keywords: AEGIS, Foster Home Care, Hospices, HIV Infections, HIV Seropositivity, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Child Welfare, Family, Adoption, Institutionalization, Family Health, Kenya, Child, Human, ICA10KWDaegis,fosterhomecare,hospices,hivinfections,hivseropositivity,acquiredimmunodeficiencysyndrome,childwelfare,family,adoption,institutionalization,familyhealth,kenya,child,human,ica10
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PD0781

Copyright © 1994 - International AIDS Society (IAS). Reproduction of this abstract (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the IAS.