AEGiS-15IAC: The need for and benefits of psychosocial support interventions within programs for children affected by AIDS.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

The need for and benefits of psychosocial support interventions within programs for children affected by AIDS.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. ThOrD1381)

Constantin AM, Kline M, Rashmi G, Ghosh S, Kurup A, Bajpai D, Foster G, Bhatt P, Richardson J
Centrul de Copii Romano-American, Constanta, Romania

ISSUES: Many responses to children affected by HIV/AIDS (CABA) do not initially include psychosocial support (PSS) activities. What factors lead to the recognition by implementers of the need to establish PSS? What is the nature of PSS activities? What are the benefits of PSS interventions?

DESCRIPTION: Step Forward, Abbott Laboratories Fund supports programs in India through the International HIV/AIDS Alliance, involving 38 NGO community care initiatives in 3 states benefiting 6,847 CABA and in Romania, through BIPAI, supporting 650 HIV-positive children with provision of ARV treatment. PSS activities in programs include: Support groups for HIV-positive children; Clubs for CABA; Organized group recreational activities (e.g. art classes, dance, yoga, singing); Vocational training; and Community-based organizations for street children. These enable Peer-based counseling; Community-level anti-discrimination activities; Destigmatization of HIV/AIDS; Income generating activities; and Treatment compliance motivation.

LESSONS LEARNED: PSS activities are often overlooked by implementers because of their excessive focus on children's material and medical needs. During focus groups, affected children stated they could cope with economic privations, found discrimination incapacitating and support groups empowering. PSS activities increase children's self-esteem and coping, augment child protection and increase child participation.

RECOMMENDATIONS: New and existing CABA programs should incorporate PSS strategies and activities into their design through active involvement of child beneficiaries.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Health Services Needs and Demand, HIV Infections, Organizations, Demography, HIV Seropositivity, Health Planning Guidelines, Research, Counseling, Residence Characteristics, Health Services, Health Behavior, India, Romania, Child, Humans, economics

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