Impact of HIV comprehensive care for guardians on their capacity to meet the needs of affected children, Kibera, Nairobi Kenya.
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Date
2014-09-08
Authors
Kiarie, Jackline Njeri
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Abstract
HIV/AIDS impacts on the needs of the affected children on many levels, directly
and indirectly, economically and socially. It affects the social and economic status
of affected families, leaving the children of the infected parents and guardians
vulnerable, increasing the severity and duration of the epidemic. However, with
the recent adoption of comprehensive care for HIV/AIDS infected individuals, the
quality of life of those infected may improve as the devastating effect of the
illness may be reduced. This study was aimed at assessing the impact of
comprehensive care for the HIV/AIDS infected parents and guardians on the
affected children. The study was a comparative cross-sectional study based in
Kibera. The cases were HIV/AIDS infected parents and guardians enrolled in the
comprehensive care program for a period of not less than six months, and having
children in the age group of 6-17 years. The controls were healthy individuals
picked on the nearest neighbour approach, having children in the same age group.
The main objective of the study was to establish the social, economic and
psychological impacts of HIV/AIDS on affected children living in Kibera. A
comparative cross-sectional study design was employed, and data collected using
interview schedules, semi structured questionnaires and observation checklist. A
total of 700 study subjects were interviewed. The data was analyzed using SPSS
Programme: correlation and Chi-square were used to determine association
between categorical variables. The results indicated that a total of 73.8% of the
HIV/AIDS parents and guardians reported as facing financial constraints as
compared to only 53% of the healthy parents and guardians. There was more
school absenteeism in the affected children (32.8%) as compared to 24% of the
other children. The affected children living with the HIV/AIDS infected parents
or guardians were still more susceptible to poor health than their counter parts
living with the healthy parents/guardians. The magnitude of the differences
between the affected children and the ordinary children was not very large as had
been the case previously, generally ranging from 7-15 percent except in a few
cases. The impact of the comprehensive care therefore is already being felt in
most of the HIV /AIDS affected households. There existed a positive correlation
between disclosure of HIV status and duration on ART for 2 years of 0.162 at
0.05confidence level and 3 years and over 0.183 at O.Olconfidence level. There
was also significant correlation between quality of food and duration on
comprehensive care of 0.187 at 0.01 confidence level. Various coping mechanisms
were adopted by the HIV/AIDS infected parents and guardians that included,
getting assistance in schools: school fees wavering, supply of uniforms and
stationery for their children, joining various support groups from where they were
able to get assistance in the form of food, medication, membership to merry go
rounds, and psychological assistance in the form of group therapies. Other coping
mechanisms involved seeking assistance from the children. Financially
empowering PLWHAs will improve and prolong the capacity to care for the
children affected by HIV/AIDS. Most of the comprehensive care programs have
made little or no effort on the part of the children. There is therefore need for
interventions to reach children affected by AIDS, and also include a package for
the parents that will help them make necessary arrangements for their children.
Description
Department of Community Health, 81p. The RJ 387 .A25K53 2009
Keywords
AIDS (Disease) in Children -- Kenya, Kibera, Children -- Diseases -- Kenya, Kibera. | Child Care