Sociocultural Issues as Barriers to HIV-Infected Orphan Care in Southern Africa
Journal Title: Journal of Clinical Research in HIV AIDS and Prevention - Year 2014, Vol 2, Issue 1
Abstract
As advances in treatment and prevention are starting to decrease the magnitude of the Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome (AIDS) epidemic in Sub-Saharan Africa, the number of orphans and children surviving Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infection is growing. To date, little research has been conducted in the care of HIV-infected children in orphanages in Sub-Saharan Africa. In this qualitative study, managing personnel in 10 programs caring for HIV-infected children were interviewed to ascertain perceived barriers to care of these children. While all programs commented on medical infrastructure barriers, respondents felt sociocultural issues were more pressing. After analysis of transcribed interviews, three major themes of poverty, denial/stigma, and cultural differences with outsiders emerged. These findings have implications for international programs that both serve and seek to serve the needs of HIV-infected children and orphans in Africa. Outside funding organizations will need to address local poverty, stigma, and African “ownership” of HIV-positive orphans to ultimately ensure the best care of these vulnerable children.
Authors and Affiliations
Seth Langsam, Corinne Lehmann, Lisa M. Vaughn, Alexandra Kissling
Keywords
Related Articles
- EP ID EP262811
- DOI 10.14302/issn.2324-7339.jcrhap-13-239
- Views 157
- Downloads 0
Report of a False Positive Rapid HIV Test Due to Hepatitis A in a U.S. Army Soldier
A 25 year old, single, active duty soldier presented to a clinic in Afghanistan complaining of malaise, fatigue, acholic stools, and mild jaundice over a 5- to 7-day period. He had significantly elevated liver transamina...
Review of Useful Theories for Working with People Who are Living with HIV and AIDS
Introduction Working with people who are HIV positive is a herculean task and relevant theories to assist them medically, psychologically, economically, socially and otherwise are necessary. People who are living positiv...
Participant Retention in a HIV Prevention Cohort Study in Kisumu, Kenya
Retention of sufficient numbers of participants in longitudinal research studies is a serious methodological concern, as retention influences the validity of the research findings. An assessment of participant retention...
The construct Validity of the CES-D among HIV-Infected Perinatal Thai Women: Explanatory and Confirmatory Factor Analysis
It is important to measure depressive symptoms in HIV-infected individuals because depressive symptoms have been found to be correlated with faster progression to AIDS. Worldwide, the CES-D has been used to assess depres...
Prevalence and Factors Associated with Disclosure of HIV Diagnosis to Infected Children Receiving Antiretroviral Treatment in Public Health Care Facilities in Gauteng, South Africa
HIV infected children who started antiretroviral therapy (ART) in public health facilities in South Africa have survived to older age and disclosure has become an essential part of their care. Available data on HIV discl...