AEGiS-14IAC: The need to improve the care of vulnerable children orphaned due to AIDS.

14th International AIDS Conference

Barcelona, Spain - July 7-12, 2002

The need to improve the care of vulnerable children orphaned due to AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS 2002 Jul 7-12; 14:(abstract no. E11466)

Gouna Y
Institution, Lome, Togo

BACKGROUND: Due to the alarming spread of HIV/AIDS in Togo - 6% within the sexually active population between 15 and 49 years old - the number of vulnerable children orphaned due to AIDS continues to rise, reaching 92,000 orphans at the end of 2000. Due to this, there are clear grounds for creating an adequate strategy to assure a better upbringing for these children.

METHODS: To conduct a qualitative study in the 6 health districts in the country in order to evaluate the problems of caring for the vulnerable orphans. - To ensure the care and support of 20 AIDS orphans in the 6 health districts in Togo to evaluate the cost effectiveness. The care and support will fall under the following headings: Psychosocial Medical Nutritional Educational Family Rehabilitation - To elaborate a plan of action to ensure a better support system for orphans and other vulnerable children.

RESULTS: The orphans face psychosocial problems (denial of their situation, rejection, family pressures,...) medical problems (some children have lost their parents to AIDS and become infected themselves), nutritional (the precarious economic situation worsens as the family base weakens), educational (the orphans often abandon their education due to a lack of encouragement or financial support). There are currently no adequate support strategies in place to ensure the proper care and support of AIDS orphans. As a result, some orphans become delinquent and involved in dangerous lifestyles.

CONCLUSION: This research has enabled us to apprehend the seriousness of the problems faced by AIDS orphans. It is necessary to support the foster families or the children's natural families through income generating activities, creating a reference structure for their children in order to allow them to have the supervision necessary for their survival and upbringing.

Keywords: AEGIS, Foster Home Care, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Health Services Needs and Demand, HIV Infections, Family, Caregivers, Child Welfare, Child Health Services, Population, Demography, Child of Impaired Parents, Togo, Child, Human, Economics, Mortality, Education

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E11466