AEGiS-15IAC: Childcare and support services -TASO experience 1997

AEGiS-15IAC: Childcare and support services -TASO experience 1997 - 2002.

15th International AIDS Conference

Bangkok, Thailand - July 11-16, 2004

Childcare and support services -TASO experience 1997 - 2002.

Int Conf AIDS 2004 Jul 11-16; 15:(abstract no. ThOrD1383)

Sebuliba I, Coutihno AG, Nabiryo C
The AIDS Support Organisation TASO, Kampala, Uganda

ISSUES: Uganda has about 1.8 million orphans and The AIDS Support Organisation (TASO) with in its resources developed projects to help with the situation. Some of the impacts of HIV on children include: - loss of family and identity, exposure to HIV/AIDS, loss of inheritance and loss of health care including immunization.

DESCRIPTION: Data collected from 1997 to 2002 has been analysed in addition to key informant interviews with the Social Support and Project officers. In that period 4099 children were registered for TASO services and 2210 on social support services including Food, School fees scheme and Apprenticeship.

LESSONS LEARNED: 1. 95% of the registered children on food aid project are from child headed households 2. Counseling of children helps in planning for their future in aspects like education and health 3. Children respond to counseling more than adults, 65.1%received a second counseling session and 45.6% a third one. 4. For children receiving food assistance there is improved nutrition status as there was notable reduction in underweight from 18.4% to 15.5% in 2002. 5. Many children who are HIV Positive have no access to services due to lack of system for their testing 6. There are a few childcare and support organizations and resources available for childcare and support are inadequate Recomendations: 1. Child testing should be legalized such that HIV/AIDS infected children can be given special care 2. There is need for more resource mobilization in order to get funds to benefitchildren 3. There is need for senstisation about childcare and support services and formation of rural HIV/AIDS awareness programs targeting children. 4. Government should embrace the problem of orphans and devise measures to address it. 5. Creation of mobile clinics targeting families with orphans and establishment of orphans' education and placement facilities where necessary.

Keywords: AEGIS, Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome, Foster Home Care, HIV Infections, Counseling, Health Planning, HIV Seropositivity, Organizations, Health Services Needs and Demand, Family Characteristics, Research, Delivery of Health Care, Health, Social Support, Ambulatory Care Facilities, Uganda, Child, Humans, Adult, economics, organization & administration, education

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ThOrD1383