AIDS Orphanages in China: Reality and Challenges

Abstract

With the increasing number of AIDS orphans in China, the government has been building AIDS orphanages since 2004 to accommodate some of those children who have lost both parents to AIDS. However, no data are available regarding the quality of this model of institutional care of AIDS orphans in China. This study, based on qualitative data from children and workers in AIDS orphanages, examines the daily lives, needs, and feelings of orphans and explores the advantages and disadvantages of institutionalized care of AIDS orphans in China. The current study was conducted in 2006-2007 in two rural counties of central China. Data in the current study included individual in-depth interviews with 23 children who lost both of their parents to HIV=AIDS (ages 8 to 17 years) living in AIDS orphanages and 5 AIDS orphanage workers. Findings in this study reveal that children living in orphanages mostly felt that the living conditions were better than the families they lived with after the death of their parents. However, according to the children and orphanage workers, the institutional care has some disadvantages, such as administrative restraints, limited psychological guidance, stigma, lack of education on AIDS, and financial burdens of the operation. Implications for intervention programs include continuing support from the government and nongovernmental organizations, improvements in administrative styles, and the need of incorporating psychological support within the institutions.

AIDS Knowledge and HIV Stigma among Children Affected by HIV/AIDS in Rural China

“…These findings were consistent with results of one previous qualitative study among orphanage orphans in China, which suggested that most children in orphanages knew little about AIDS and the knowledge of AIDS was even more limited among younger children . One of the reasons perceived by children in the AIDS orphanage for the lack of AIDS knowledge was that their caregivers (orphanages workers) or school teachers purposely avoid discussing the topic of AIDS with them because of the fears of upsetting the children who lost both of their parents to HIV (Zhao, Li, Kaljee, et al, 2009). One of the possible explanations in the current study for the lower AIDS knowledge among HIV-affected children might also be that persons around them purposely avoid discussing AIDS and the children might also try to avoid conversation or discussion about AIDS because of their devastating memories associated with AIDS-related loss in their families.…”

“…AIDS orphanages were set up to meet orphans' basic needs: food, living quarters, medical care, and education (Zhao, Li, Kaljee, et al, 2009). The orphanages were mainly funded by the local government or nongovernmental organizations.…”

The role of perceived social support in loneliness and self-esteem among children affected by HIV/AIDS

“…Briefly, the AIDS orphans living in centralized care settings were recruited from two government-funded orphanages in each of the two counties and the eight community-based group homes for children orphaned by AIDS in one county [27]. The AIDS orphans and vulnerable children from the family and extended family care settings were recruited with assistance of the village leaders who helped us to generate lists of families caring for orphans or families with confirmed diagnosis of parental HIV infection.…”

Roles of Self-Stigma, Social Support, and Positive and Negative Affects as Determinants of Depressive Symptoms Among HIV Infected Men who have Sex with Men in China

“…These consequences would further facilitate the transmission of HIV. In China, there is however, a lack of psychological support services and interventions targeting PLWH in general and HIVMSM in particular [13–15]. The World Health Organization has also reported the shortage of psychological support services to MSM [16].…”