AEGiS-15IAC: Needs, self-esteem and health impact assessment on AIDS orphans in Thailand.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Needs, self-esteem and health impact assessment on AIDS orphans in Thailand.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. E10098)

Charoensuk (Ratanalangkarn) D, Wonsukhon N, Chancharat P, Kuptapa K, Rattagorn P
Kasetsart University, Bangkok, Thailand

ISSUES: AIDS orphans are more vulnerable and have lower standard of living than an average person. The futures of them are quite uncertain and the negative implications are intensified with lack of education, financial scarcity and psychosocial impacts from having AIDS parents. Descriptions: The study integrated models of research activities based on empowerment theory, life skills development concept, and AIC technique. Participatory Action Research (PAR) was used to uncover the needs, self-esteem, and health impacts on AIDS orphans.

LESSONS LEARNED: The research was under taken in Khonkaen province with participants being 43 orphans and 33 guardians,who have spent 3 days and 2 nights in the course of the research during 6-8 June 2003. Based on the in-depth interview, participatory action and observation,self-report,and home visit, follow up after 3 months period,found that they were significant implications from having AIDS parents on the sample's health,needs, self-esteem,and the impact also contributed to the development of the social and psychological skills (particularly in shaping their inferiority complex and social stigma associated with HIV/AIDS). The social networks developed during the course of the PAR have help raising their potential.(especially in the psychosocial development in diminution of inferiority and social stigma associated with HIV/AIDS),self-esteem, with more communication and coordination between assisting organization and the guardians and children. The virtually successful of the activities that could be more strategically done in a short period of time are trust that the orphans have for the researcher team and organization. Recommendation: This research recommends this model with participatory actions be applied in other group of orphans to improve the quality of life of AIDS orphans, particularly in the aspects of psychosocial development.

Keywords: AEGIS, Foster Home Care, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Health Services Needs and Demand, HIV Infections, Self Concept, Thailand, Organizations, Health Planning Guidelines, HIV Seropositivity, Research, Family, Child, economics, methods, organization & administration

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E10098