Future strategies regarding children affected by AIDS.
Int Conf AIDS 1994 Aug 7-12; 10:49 (abstract no. PS29) Banda M; Churches Medical Association of Zambia, Lusaka.
IMPAT OF HIV/AIDS ON CHILDREN: The HIV/AIDS pandemic has had far reaching implications on many population groups world over, but more especially in developing countries. Children have not been spared by the pandemic. In Africa particularly, an increasing number of children are getting infected with HIV, being orphaned and experiencing numerous stresses from the effects of HIV/AIDS. Data on the current situation and future projections concerning HIV and children are reviewed. HIV/AIDS impacts on children is in many ways. Generally HIV disease progresses much more rapidly in children that are infected with HIV compared to adults. There is profound emotional and psychological effect on children affected by HIV/AIDS. Other consequences include loss of schooling opportunities, lack of material support and greater vulnerability to being exploited. CURRENT EFFORTS: The paper identifies some approaches being followed to address the problem children affected by HIV/AIDS in Africa. These approaches are classified as institutional and non-institutional. Institutional approaches mainly involve the provision of care and support through institutions such as orphanages or children's homes. Non institutional approaches include the extended family system, foster parenting and adoption, skills training initiatives, day care centers, support through older siblings and peer group support. FUTURE STRATEGIES: Suggestions for future strategies for support to children affected by HIV/AIDS are offered. Three basic principles are identified in the development of strategies and these are: (1) the need to identify the most crucial needs of the children in a particular situation or locality, (2) the necessity of innovatively utilising existing resources and systems as much as possible and (3) the need to invest in children in the HIV/AIDS campaign.
Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, HIV Infections, Forecasting, Foster Home Care, Family, Developing Countries, Adoption, Orphanages, Child Welfare, Child of Impaired Parents, Africa, Child, Human, Adult, ICA10 940807
PS29
