Children Affected by HIV and AIDS

The HIV/AIDS pandemic is having a devastating impact on the well-being of children, particularly in those countries with the highest HIV prevalence rates in sub-Saharan Africa, the Caribbean, and parts of Asia. The virus affects children in multiple ways; they may lose one or both parents and other family members, or become infected with the disease.

Aside from the physical and psychosocial stress associated with the onset of the disease itself and the experience of loss of loved ones, children affected by HIV/AIDS may additionally be subjected to the burden of caring for others, stigma, discrimination, exploitation, abuse, financial hardships, and are less likely to attend school. The social and economic effects of the disease means that areas with high AIDS-related mortality are less able to provide traditional family and community care, protection and basic services for its children.

Children with HIV-positive parents are at a greater risk of being orphaned, abandoned, removed by social services, placed into foster or institutional care, becoming homeless, or left to head households on their own. Orphaned children infected with the virus often have more difficulty obtaining care. Families and communities have rallied to provide kinship care to the large majority of the children who have lost their parents, however families and communities are struggling to cope, physically and financially, with the numbers of children involved. Despite international recognition of the damaging effects of institutional care and its high costs, institutional care has proliferated, often supported by external groups wanting to help. Far too little has been done in such countries to systematically strengthen and support HIV/AIDS-affected families and families caring for orphans, or to develop family-and community-based care for children without adequate family care.

Children should be cared for by their immediate and extended families wherever possible, with support services put in place to avoid abandonment. Regulated kinship, foster care, and local adoption should be developed for children without close relatives. Young people and communities should be provided with information on HIV/AIDS to avoid infection. Adequate medical treatment is needed to enable infected parents to live longer and to prevent HIV transmission from mother to child.

The literature in this section includes background information on countries and projects tackling the crises, including statistics, policy papers, implementation projects, and care options for children orphaned or infected by HIV/AIDS.

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Forgotten Families: Older People as Carers of Orphans and Vulnerable Children

Help Age International and the International HIV/AIDS Alliance , 2003

A publication by International AIDS Alliance and HelpAge International provides an overview of the issues identified by older people and orphans and vulnerable children themselves; examples of community-based programs that are improving the lives of older people and orphans and vulnerable children; recommendations that will help to prioritize orphans and their carers within HIV/AIDS and wider development policies, programs and research.

Africa's Orphaned Generations

UNICEF, 2003

Current statistics and projections of HIV prevalence and impact on children and families in Sub-Saharan Africa. Outlines a strategy for action which includes collaborative efforts on the part of governments and child-focused agencies to strengthen families, build community capacity and increase awareness.

Children "In Need of Care" or In Need of Cash?: Questioning Social Security Provisions for Orphans in the Context of the South African AIDS Pandemic

Helen Meintjes, Sonja Giese, Debbie Budlender and Leigh Johnson, 2003

Research study of the current social security provisions for orphans in South Africa, with a comparison of four alternative cash grant scenarios. Recommends a universal income support system for all children in need.

Guidelines for Sampling Orphans and Other Vulnerable Children: To Estimate the Size and Characteristics of OVC Populations

Anthony G. Turner , 2003

A manual which seeks to fill the gap in the methods of estimating the population of orphans and vulnerable children in developing countries. The manual includes thorough guidelines on sampling approaches.

Building Blocks: Africa-wide Briefing Notes: Psychosocial Support

International HIV/AIDS Alliance, 2003

Outlines the psychosocial impacts of HIV/AIDS on children and suggests principles and activities to strengthen psychosocial support. Includes a brief list of follow-up resources.

Building Blocks: Africa-wide Briefing Notes: Education

International HIV/AIDS Alliance, 2003

Outlines the impact of HIV/AIDS on children’s education and suggests strategies for meeting children’s educational needs. Includes a list of follow-up resources.

Foster Care and Schooling in West Africa: The State of Knowledge

Marc Pilon, 2003

Explores the relationship between fostering and education in West Africa. Identifies special need to focus on protecting and educating young girls.

A Last Resort: A Growing Concern About Children in Residential Care

Andrew Dunn, Elizabeth Jareg, and Douglas Webb, 2003

This paper outlines the International Save the Children Alliance’s position on residential care. It addresses the proliferation of residential care, its negative impact on children and the need for international attention. The paper presents the work of Save the Children and other agencies in order to highlight relevent issues and to provide a guide for those working with separated children.

Forgotten Families: Older People as Carers of Orphans and Vulnerable Children

Amleset Tewodros, 2003

A brief policy report which highlights issues faced by older caregivers of orphans and vulnerable children in Africa. Outlines NGO responses, challenges and recommendations for programmatic support of older caregivers. Includes statistical data on ageing, HIV/AIDS and kinship care in Africa.

Family Matters: The Care and Protection of Children Affected by HIV/AIDS in Malawi

Gillian Mann, 01 Oct 2002

This paper describes a qualitative research study conducted in three villages in Malawi. It explores community mobilization and kinship care, as well as striking discrepancies between the perceptions of adults and children regarding care and support. The paper advocates for increased child decision-making, childcare protection policy, and support networks for orphaned children.